Post
Conversation
![David Watson 🥑](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="96" height="96"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Post your reply
A little over two years ago, I was ecstatic to receive my very first R01 grant from the NIDCD. Our research focuses on restoring hearing by targeting the underlying mechanisms of stereocilia elongation, a subject I've dedicated my career to since my PhD. 2/15
The grant was funded through a specific NIDCD RFA to promote "workforce diversity." As someone with congenital severe-to-profound hearing loss, I was eligible. A researcher with hearing loss, studying hearing loss, at the National Institute on Deafness... it felt right. 3/15
I was aware that DEI-related initiatives could become political targets. However, I never imagined that a grant, once awarded and actively running, would be canceled mid-stream. This is a move that, to my knowledge, is unprecedented outside of scientific misconduct cases. 4/15
Our 3rd year of funding was expected on 4/1. When it didn't arrive, I tried to stay optimistic, as delays can happen. My emails to NIH contacts went unanswered as they were on a "communication lockdown." We were operating on funds that, I would soon learn, no longer existed. 5/15
On May 27th, I received an email asking for closeout forms for our grant. That's how we found out it was canceled—not through a direct notice, but through a bureaucratic request, nearly two months after the funding was supposed to have arrived. 6/15
The termination letter stated our project was being ended because "Research programs based primarily on artificial and non-scientific categories, including amorphous equity objectives, are antithetical to the scientific inquiry" and "provide low returns on investment." 7/15
"Low returns on investment?" In just two years, this grant helped support the publication of about 10 scientific papers. Our work aims to address hearing loss, a condition affecting >40 million Americans and the number one modifiable risk factor for dementia. 8/15
The devastating irony is that while I will likely weather this storm, the people who will suffer the most are the trainees in my lab. Their positions are now at risk due to a decision tied to a "DEI" grant they had no part in writing. 9/15
The stress has been immense. To try and save my lab, I wrote five R01 grants in three weeks, running on fumes and sleeping as little as 2.5 hours a night. This is the human cost of such unpredictable funding decisions. 10/15
This action has shattered the NIH's credibility. How can labs and universities trust the system and "pre-spend" on awarded grants when a funding promise can be revoked without warning? The foundation of trust is broken. 11/15
This experience has crystallized for me that I must diversify our funding sources. The days of relying solely on a single NIH grant to sustain a lab are likely over. Academic-industry partnerships are a promising path forward, and I now plan to start my own company. 12/15
Despite the bitterness and anxiety, I am more resolved than ever. I began my journey in 2002 with the dream of one day running my own lab. Now, 23 years later, I'm at my dream university, surrounded by brilliant scientists. 13/15
I don't know if my lab will survive this. But our passion for discovery and improving lives remains. Science is America's best bet, and we must invest in it intelligently to secure our future as a leader in innovation and health. 14/15
Regardless of where you stand on DEI, we all agree that politics shouldn't derail life-saving research. When science funding becomes a political beach ball, we all lose. We must find a way to keep research focused on what matters: finding cures that help every American. 15/15
I struggle with Tinnitus daily so I appreciate the work you’re doing in a very difficult area.
This is evidently a case of collateral damage. How do we help?
Very sorry to hear that. We have side plans for tinnitus research in the future! I’ll probably start a GoFundMe or something soon if nothing else 
I’m so sorry this happened to you!
- this is one of the many casualties of cuts to NIH.
It’s newsworthy to talk to scientists who have been caught in the crossfire of politics.
Good luck Uri, we hope you can create strategic partnerships with the IP you have discovered through the years.
We know of researchers who spent less time in big Pharma silos, and they didn't get 5 years... They got 1-2 years trying to hit milestones along the way.
It's good
Your passion and persistence over 23 years is inspiring, Uri. The work you and your team do matters, and it’s heartbreaking to see politics threaten what should be sacred: saving lives through science.
Standing with you. Keep pushing.
Hey hire Uri and everyone on his team ASAP!!!!! Roll them into Decibel Therapeutics and lets get hearing loss and Tinnitus cured. Thank you!
You did learn the lesson they were trying to teach you after all.
"This experience has crystallized for me that I must diversify our funding sources. The days of relying solely on a single NIH grant to sustain a lab are likely over. Academic-industry partnerships are a promising
Start a GoFundMe, I'll do what I can
As someone who is actively interested in the domain of ear health, researching tinnitus is very taxing and it's important we know more
Of course *that* useless administration doesn't care about scientific progress but who would've guessed
We need to remember that we live in a capitalist society and while far from perfect is the most prosperous known to man. Governments generally are in efficient. This should be funded by any number of for profit companies and not the government which is $37 trillion in debt.
I’m really sorry to hear this. This is not okay. Is there anyway we can help?
I’m so sorry Uri. I hope you can get back to doing your important research soon. Many lives could be vastly improved by it someday.
Are you able yo go for an appeal and explain your case? It seems what you’re working on is clearly not a DEI initiative but real valuable science. Hoping you can either get an appeal or apply for another grant.
I appreciate your passion and dedication. Not qualified to comment on your research.
As a serial entrepreneur, I have empathy for sudden funding losses.
We go through many periods of little to no sleep to keep our dreams alive.
Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, except for
Very sorry to hear. Based on some talks they've been giving at events, ARPA-H accepts program managers with useful program proposals to then delegate some research money- perhaps look into it in case it's aligned?
That's a shame, but I guess billionaires really need those ivory back scratchers and RFK Jr. needs to keep selling that snake oil.
I'm so sorry to hear this. It's such a loss all around to cancel such a promising research program!
Not my field, but man, this makes things look absolutely bleak for me since I'm putting myself into the grad school admissions rat race again this year,
Might as well just focus on applying to anywhere but the US, since if previously funded grants can be axed like that
Very sorry to hear this. A close family member with Bjornstad Syndrome was a subject in a clinical study at the Seidman lab at Harvard, which did work that seems related. More research is needed in this area, especially wrt gene therapy. Hope you can find new funding.
This is heart breaking. Sending positive vibes from across the pacific.
GIF
My daughter is down at UCSD in the physics dept. Her post graduate research was also cancelled. UCSD has some of the best science minds in the world who work tirelessly to make all of our lives healthier, more productive & safer. 
I really hope you’re able to get funding. It just made my day reading that someone working as passionately and targeted as you on such an important issue exists. So thank you.
Hi Uri, so sorry you had to go through this. This is a dark time for science.
Terrible- I m sharing this story with people in the legal an booting county who are not aware of how absurd and undeserved all of this is
which is an understatement
Uri, I am really sorry to hear this. Your work is promising and I hope you are able to continue at some point,
I am so sorry. I feel your pain. I had two R01s canceled, both of them less than 2 years old. Appreciate the lucidity with which you write about the experience.
1/ This is fucking devastating Uri, I’m so sorry. The worst part of all of this for me is the sheer laziness, incompetence and cruelty that they have displayed while targeting research. No plan, no actual analysis of specific grants that are furthering real people’s life’s work
I’m a grant specialist. We are grinding away on submissions, trying to find alternatives to keep labs afloat, and attempting to balance the effort percentages lost while personally not getting raises and having seats eliminated. It’s a struggle.
Thank you for this information thread. I am so sorry.
I sincerely hope you are able to continue your work. My mother had hearing loss early in life and she had dementia. I didn't know the correlation then, but I decided there was correlation years later.
This is brutal Uri, so sorry to hear this. No words. I hope you can appeal and get it back?!
Thanks for helping us understand what has actually happened behind the headlines
Hearing loss runs in my husband's family. I know how much it affects being able to function even with good hearing aids. Thank you for your work and I hope you will be able to continue it.
Thank You for sharing this. I was born w/o ear canals nor eardrums. Don't know if genetic or birth defect. A niece also had severe hearing loss, but not same as my condition. I had 4 surgeries, 3 as child, 1 as adult to construct ear canals & eardrums. I still need hring aid.
At first I read the word "lab" as in Labrador Retriever 
but once I saw it was 1/15 I realized it was just the gummy kicking in
but once I saw it was 1/15 I realized it was just the gummy kicking in
I’m so sorry this happened to you. What an outrage and a travesty! I hope your new lab thrives! If you branch into tinnitus, it’s a key symptom in long covid so your crowd-funding may benefit from being shared in those circles, millions affected! Power to you.
Oh Uri, I am so sorry to learn about this…just devastating. Hang in there, science benefits immeasurably from your passion and contributions.
I’m assuming your university has appealed and am hoping they reconsider after a more thorough examination of the project’s specific aims. Some battles have been won. Sending positive vibes your way.
Have a relative who’s a grant manager at NIH in a different area. They are equally devastated on that side. The researchers are part of their team. Cutting the grants & the research has gutted them. They would agree that the credibility at NIH has been damaged. Maybe irreparably.
I'm so sorry. Even if they get turfed and the next government reinstates financing, I'm betting your research will be damaged badly by an interruption like this.
We are rapidly headed back to the Renaissance model of science via patronage. Just write a saccharine and sycophantic letter to King Donald and he will surely restore your funds…
This post makes me incensed. I’m just so sorry: for those with hearing loss (me), those who will develop hearing loss (most Americans), for the many who will develop dementia. How utterly appalling.
This is really unfair. Are you able to work with UCSD on an official appeal?
As a parent of a child with profound hearing loss, I recognize the life-changing potential of this research. Can this grant be reviewed on its merits and its funding resumed? Thank you.
Maybe EIT could help?
They are focussed on the diseases of aging.
I’m so sorry to hear this and yes, this is extremely destructive to both investigators and society in general
I’m so sorry. Stay strong. Keep doing amazing science. Our patients depend on you!
I’m a little amazed by comments that seem surprised this happened. It makes me wonder how carefully people are paying attention, because we’re 5 1/2 months in to the gutting of NSF and NIH and others. Thank you for sharing.
For your sake—and the sake of the nation—you & your university should sue NIH for "arbitrary and capricious" actions.
nature.com/articles/d4158
statnews.com/2025/05/21/lgb
Trump is against anything that actually helps ppl but doesn’t directly enrich him.
Abrupt NIH cuts derail gene therapy advances and betray researchers. Your hearing loss work deserved that full funding cycle—patients lose most in this breach of trust.
I am so sorry to hear that has happened to you. Sounds like you are doing terrific work. I sincerely hope you are able to find the means to continue.
The proof of Epstein's Child sex trafficking and the names of his "clients" were all published HERE in 2015 stonezone.com/product/the-cl
Project 2025 doesn't care. It has its own agenda & it ain't about helping us. 
Make a big stink, don't let up. No one ever got anything by capitulating to the woke.
Maybe Mackenzie Scott, Jeff bezo’s ex. Seems like her donations are broad.
Brutal disruption of such critical research. Your work on gene therapy matters—patients and science deserve stable funding. Solidarity.
Sometimes I feel like what we have either as a scientist, academician, researcher or anything that don't give direct benefits is useless to the people who fund the work. Funny thing without fundamental, human education, improvisation is nowhere.
Can you help with funding for all these great programs affected by trump’s & DOGE’s terrible policies?
Can you relocate to the EU? Maybe it's worth checking out.
If your work is legitimate, there will be a sponsor.
This doesn’t affect “the scientific process” one iota. That you should say that while also whining about your ‘feelings’ due to the loss of taxpayer funding leads me to believe you are more likely than not a charlatan
10 years, 10 publications. Has any one recovered hearing due to your work? Maybe try a different approach?
This is an absolute shame. The recent Duke incident is just another example, where several NIH grant's were were canceled for using the prefix trans (as in "transgenic")
To help catch these flagged terms, I made a free tool that scans for keywords:
The government was not established to fund research. The government needs to be as small as possible like the founding fathers implied.
could you begin by explaining what R01 means, when you got the grant, how the award process worked and how you were informed the grant had ended ("abruptly terminated" is kind of a loaded phrase)
And is that hearing loss like mine (I'm 80) or in kids listening to loud music or ??
So 26 years and some papers after 10 years that cost how much? How about a cure or get off the pot. Hoe about pay me a million and I’ll research sitting on the couch and write a paper every 2 years with no real result but someone might read it.
Thank you for sharing. This sucks. For your lab. For your students. For our future. Can I share this story as a high school teacher about how government funding drives our innovation & losing that will cause the USA to go from a leader to some place way back in the pack.
