Max Kozlov
@maxkozlov.bsky.social
science reporter covering biomedical research at Nature | proudly Ukrainian 🇺🇦
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signal: mkozlov.01
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Pinned
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Reposted by Max Kozlov
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
Project 2025 says (re: weather & climate) that "emphasis on prediction & management seems designed around the fatal conceit of planning for the unplannable." But it's clear that broader federal bureaucracy is being forcibly dismantled to prevent anticipation or mitigation of foreseeable future harm.
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:44 AM
Project 2025 says (re: weather & climate) that "emphasis on prediction & management seems designed around the fatal conceit of planning for the unplannable." But it's clear that broader federal bureaucracy is being forcibly dismantled to prevent anticipation or mitigation of foreseeable future harm.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
See, if we don't talk about things, and if we stop funding the talking about them, then the things just go away.
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:59 PM
See, if we don't talk about things, and if we stop funding the talking about them, then the things just go away.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
It's important to put this in context of one of the first things Taubenberger did when he took over as the director of NIAID - he canceled the premier pandemic preparedness network ("CREID" - which we were part of) because it was deemed "unsafe for Americans".
Cc. @maxkozlov.bsky.social.
Cc. @maxkozlov.bsky.social.
February 13, 2026 at 9:36 PM
It's important to put this in context of one of the first things Taubenberger did when he took over as the director of NIAID - he canceled the premier pandemic preparedness network ("CREID" - which we were part of) because it was deemed "unsafe for Americans".
Cc. @maxkozlov.bsky.social.
Cc. @maxkozlov.bsky.social.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
After more than 1.2 Americans lost their lives to Covid, NIH director Jay Bhattacharya orders the agency to deprioritize pandemic preparedness & biodefense.
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:16 PM
After more than 1.2 Americans lost their lives to Covid, NIH director Jay Bhattacharya orders the agency to deprioritize pandemic preparedness & biodefense.
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Make it make sense.
Scoop from @maxkozlov.bsky.social @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
AI help in grant proposals tied to higher funding odds at NIH
But funding proposals to US agencies also tend to be more similar to previously funded projects if they are written or edited with the help of a chatbot.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
AI help in grant proposals tied to higher funding odds at NIH
But funding proposals to US agencies also tend to be more similar to previously funded projects if they are written or edited with the help of a chatbot.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Scientists are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for help drafting the grant proposals that fund their careers.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
Preliminary data indicate that these tools are linked with a slightly higher funding rate and might be pulling the focus of research towards safe, less-innovative ideas.
NEW: Another NIH institute director hasn't been renewed — the director of NIAMS (arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases institute).
That leaves a whopping 15 of 27 institutes and centers without a permanent director.
That leaves a whopping 15 of 27 institutes and centers without a permanent director.
February 12, 2026 at 5:16 PM
NEW: Another NIH institute director hasn't been renewed — the director of NIAMS (arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases institute).
That leaves a whopping 15 of 27 institutes and centers without a permanent director.
That leaves a whopping 15 of 27 institutes and centers without a permanent director.
The high proportion of US scientists among those recruited by France shows that “enthusiasm and morale for doing science is low” in the US, says Sharon Milgram, who led early-career researcher programs at NIH for nearly 20 years, until she retired in December.
By @lizziegibney.bsky.social and me
By @lizziegibney.bsky.social and me
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
The high proportion of US scientists among those recruited by France shows that “enthusiasm and morale for doing science is low” in the US, says Sharon Milgram, who led early-career researcher programs at NIH for nearly 20 years, until she retired in December.
By @lizziegibney.bsky.social and me
By @lizziegibney.bsky.social and me
Reposted by Max Kozlov
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Eg fellowships or lab positions exclusively for students of a certain race or gender.
Under the current EOs this is seen as an illegal preference. The administration’s argument is that choosing someone based on their demographic instead of their skills violates civil rights laws.
Under the current EOs this is seen as an illegal preference. The administration’s argument is that choosing someone based on their demographic instead of their skills violates civil rights laws.
What exactly has been illegal under the civil rights laws?
February 6, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Eg fellowships or lab positions exclusively for students of a certain race or gender.
Under the current EOs this is seen as an illegal preference. The administration’s argument is that choosing someone based on their demographic instead of their skills violates civil rights laws.
Under the current EOs this is seen as an illegal preference. The administration’s argument is that choosing someone based on their demographic instead of their skills violates civil rights laws.
NEW: An appellate court has just overturned a lower court and ruled that Trump's executive orders cutting DEI programs and funding are constitutional — as long as the government only targets things that are already illegal under civil rights laws.
Read the full ruling below.
Read the full ruling below.
Published authored opinion filed – #106 in Natl. Assoc. of Diversity Officers in Higher Edu. v. Donald Trump (4th Cir., 25-1189) – CourtListener.com
PUBLISHED AUTHORED OPINION filed. Originating case number: 1:25-cv-00333-ABA. [1001922624] [25-1189] CH [Entered: 02/06/2026 11:09 AM]
www.courtlistener.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:44 PM
NEW: An appellate court has just overturned a lower court and ruled that Trump's executive orders cutting DEI programs and funding are constitutional — as long as the government only targets things that are already illegal under civil rights laws.
Read the full ruling below.
Read the full ruling below.
Bhattacharya testified that he's taking this issue seriously, but I just spoke with a researcher who had completed all the screening and was disinvited from NIAID's council *today*.
NIAID's council is set to run out of voting members in October. No grants can be funded without Council.
NIAID's council is set to run out of voting members in October. No grants can be funded without Council.
Baldwin quotes directly from my article abt advisory-council vacancies.
BALDWIN: This poses a very serious threat to NIH's ability to fund research.
BHATTACHARYA: I've ordered the ICs to nominate new members... including for the advisory committee to the director [which hasn't met since Dec 2024]
BALDWIN: This poses a very serious threat to NIH's ability to fund research.
BHATTACHARYA: I've ordered the ICs to nominate new members... including for the advisory committee to the director [which hasn't met since Dec 2024]
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Bhattacharya testified that he's taking this issue seriously, but I just spoke with a researcher who had completed all the screening and was disinvited from NIAID's council *today*.
NIAID's council is set to run out of voting members in October. No grants can be funded without Council.
NIAID's council is set to run out of voting members in October. No grants can be funded without Council.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
Reporting this story in Cameroon, I met people who were blind because larval worms died in their eyeballs: NTDs cause immense suffering and disability.
But they're preventable! And treatable! And eliminatable!
But they're preventable! And treatable! And eliminatable!
U.S. tax dollars backed the effort to wipe out neglected tropical diseases for 20 yrs. Many countries eliminated 1 disease, and were tantalizingly close on others. Then the U.S. walked away – jeopardizing all that investment, with diseases poised to come roaring back www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/h...
‘Biblical Diseases’ Could Resurge in Africa, Health Officials Fear
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Reporting this story in Cameroon, I met people who were blind because larval worms died in their eyeballs: NTDs cause immense suffering and disability.
But they're preventable! And treatable! And eliminatable!
But they're preventable! And treatable! And eliminatable!
Reposted by Max Kozlov
For the same reason that Indiana, which is virtually the same size as Massachusetts received nearly $349 million last year in farm subsidies, while Massachusetts got only about $9 million, 1/39th of Indiana’s boon.
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 PM
For the same reason that Indiana, which is virtually the same size as Massachusetts received nearly $349 million last year in farm subsidies, while Massachusetts got only about $9 million, 1/39th of Indiana’s boon.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
lol. To entertain the possibility he's asking in good faith, the very simple answer is that Boston is one of, if not the, largest hubs in the nation for scientific research with several of the nation's top research institutions. From 2025 RePORTER data, I count 205 research orgs in MA vs 23 in IN.
JIM BANKS (R-Indiana): Massachusetts, which is virtually the same size as my state (?!), received nearly $3 billion last year.
Can you explain why schools on the coast seem to get more NIH funding than schools like my state, which is doing a lot of research as well?
Can you explain why schools on the coast seem to get more NIH funding than schools like my state, which is doing a lot of research as well?
February 3, 2026 at 4:38 PM
lol. To entertain the possibility he's asking in good faith, the very simple answer is that Boston is one of, if not the, largest hubs in the nation for scientific research with several of the nation's top research institutions. From 2025 RePORTER data, I count 205 research orgs in MA vs 23 in IN.
I'm on Capitol Hill watching NIH director Jayanta Bhattacharya testify to the Senate HELP committee.
Thankfully I haven't been escorted out of this event (yet). Here's what I'm following. You can also watch live here:
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Thankfully I haven't been escorted out of this event (yet). Here's what I'm following. You can also watch live here:
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Full Committee Hearing on February 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM
www.help.senate.gov
February 3, 2026 at 3:48 PM
I'm on Capitol Hill watching NIH director Jayanta Bhattacharya testify to the Senate HELP committee.
Thankfully I haven't been escorted out of this event (yet). Here's what I'm following. You can also watch live here:
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Thankfully I haven't been escorted out of this event (yet). Here's what I'm following. You can also watch live here:
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Sanders: Do vaccines cause autism to the American people?
Bhattacharya: I do not believe the measles vaccine causes autism.
Sanders: I didn't ask about measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
Bhattacharya: I have not seen a study to suggest any **single** vaccine causes autism.
(emphasis mine)
Bhattacharya: I do not believe the measles vaccine causes autism.
Sanders: I didn't ask about measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
Bhattacharya: I have not seen a study to suggest any **single** vaccine causes autism.
(emphasis mine)
Hearing today with the Senate HELP committee and NIH Director Bhattacharya.
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Full Committee Hearing on February 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM
www.help.senate.gov
February 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Sanders: Do vaccines cause autism to the American people?
Bhattacharya: I do not believe the measles vaccine causes autism.
Sanders: I didn't ask about measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
Bhattacharya: I have not seen a study to suggest any **single** vaccine causes autism.
(emphasis mine)
Bhattacharya: I do not believe the measles vaccine causes autism.
Sanders: I didn't ask about measles. Do vaccines cause autism?
Bhattacharya: I have not seen a study to suggest any **single** vaccine causes autism.
(emphasis mine)
Top NIH leaders addressed my scoop that advisory councils are running out of voting members at the Reclaiming Science event (I'm now watching live stream).
Memoli says NIH was 3 years behind in filling slots when he came in (but neglects to say NIH disinvited dozens of people about to join them).
Memoli says NIH was 3 years behind in filling slots when he came in (but neglects to say NIH disinvited dozens of people about to join them).
An NIH source tells me that after this story was published, agency leadership held an emergency meeting about Council approval and is looking for ways to speed up the pipeline.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
January 30, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Top NIH leaders addressed my scoop that advisory councils are running out of voting members at the Reclaiming Science event (I'm now watching live stream).
Memoli says NIH was 3 years behind in filling slots when he came in (but neglects to say NIH disinvited dozens of people about to join them).
Memoli says NIH was 3 years behind in filling slots when he came in (but neglects to say NIH disinvited dozens of people about to join them).
Reposted by Max Kozlov
This must be that radical transparency I keep hearing about.
I'm at the Willard Hotel where I've been denied entry and kicked out of the Reclaiming Science event with NIH director Bhattacharya & other top agency leaders.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
January 30, 2026 at 6:17 PM
This must be that radical transparency I keep hearing about.
I'm at the Willard Hotel where I've been denied entry and kicked out of the Reclaiming Science event with NIH director Bhattacharya & other top agency leaders.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
January 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
I'm at the Willard Hotel where I've been denied entry and kicked out of the Reclaiming Science event with NIH director Bhattacharya & other top agency leaders.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
@jocelynkaiser.bsky.social and I registered for the event months ago yet were told capacity was full, even as they let in dozens of others.
Bhattacharya, a moment ago: "What you've been seeing in the press is that there have been funding cuts. There haven't been funding cuts. What there has been is a change in agency priorities."
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 30, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Bhattacharya, a moment ago: "What you've been seeing in the press is that there have been funding cuts. There haven't been funding cuts. What there has been is a change in agency priorities."
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Our year in numbers begs to differ
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
An NIH source tells me that after this story was published, agency leadership held an emergency meeting about Council approval and is looking for ways to speed up the pipeline.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:51 PM
An NIH source tells me that after this story was published, agency leadership held an emergency meeting about Council approval and is looking for ways to speed up the pipeline.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
"Better late than never?" the source says.
Reposted by Max Kozlov
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵