# Healthcare Agency Halts Dozens of Active Research Grants Sudden termination of research funding sends shockwaves through the sector. - **Source:** [NYT > Science](https://brifing.si/source/794f9fbd-c10f-44d6-932d-9039af67922c) - **Published:** 2026-07-24 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0069dfde-cdb3-494e-88a7-beb6bffc9f7b ## Research Funding Cuts The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which had already reduced new project funding last year, has now abruptly terminated dozens of ongoing research grants. This decision will profoundly impact scientific studies in healthcare. ## Industry Shockwaves The move caught universities, hospitals, and research institutions off guard. Long-running clinical studies, patient safety research, and innovative treatment development teams now face funding losses. The risk of projects being abandoned mid-stream is causing widespread concern. ## Underlying Reasons Officials cite budget constraints, but industry leaders criticize the timing. Experts warn such cuts during post-pandemic recovery could have systemic effects, particularly endangering rare disease research that relies on this funding. ## Researcher Backlash Scientists warn years of work could go to waste. While some scramble for alternative funding, others may have to abandon projects entirely. Early-career researchers face particularly severe career impacts from these sudden changes. ## Patient Advocacy Concerns Disease advocacy groups express alarm about disrupted treatment development. Promising therapies in clinical trials may face delays, directly affecting thousands of patients awaiting breakthrough treatments for chronic conditions. ## Sector Implications This decision raises questions about U.S. leadership in medical research. Experts emphasize the need for revised long-term research strategies and sustainable funding models to prevent setbacks in scientific progress that could affect entire populations. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/science/health-research-funding-ahrq.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._