Federal grant awarded to UC San Diego research despite earlier halt and disputes over animal experimentation policies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The National Institutes of Health has approved new funding for a University of California San Diego research project involving hormone-related experiments on mice, months after similar studies were halted by the Department of Government Efficiency, according to a Just the News report.
Federal records show the project, which examines androgen effects on reproductive systems, received $584,117 for fiscal year 2026, following $646,301 allocated in 2025, as detailed in the NIH grant database here and here. The research involves laboratory mice that undergo surgical and hormonal interventions as part of the study design.
The renewed funding follows a federal court decision ordering the NIH to restore support for numerous research projects that had previously been terminated. The ruling, outlined in court documents, determined that the earlier cancellations were “arbitrary and capricious,” though the order applied only to existing budget periods.
NIH policy states that continued funding beyond a grant’s current period is not guaranteed and depends on factors including project progress and federal priorities, as described in agency guidance.
According to the White Coat Waste Project, the UC San Diego study’s prior funding period ended in late November, meaning the agency was not required to continue support. Justin Goodman, a senior vice president at the organization, said the new funding raises questions about consistency in federal policy regarding such research.
In addition to the animal study, NIH is also supporting a related human clinical project examining hormonal effects in women undergoing testosterone therapy, as listed on the clinical trials registry. Researchers are studying reproductive hormone patterns before and during treatment, alongside a control group.
The issue has drawn responses from lawmakers. Rep. Paul Gosar criticized the funding decision, stating, “Tax dollars shouldn’t be funding the Biden Administration’s sickening transgender animal tests.” Gosar has sponsored legislation aimed at prohibiting federally funded animal research of this type, referenced in congressional records and tracked here.
Health and Human Services previously indicated that federal funds were not supporting such experiments, but later acknowledged that certain projects had resumed under court order. Officials have not publicly addressed the specific UC San Diego grant.
The research traces back to earlier funding linked to grants awarded during the tenure of Anthony Fauci, whose leadership of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases spanned decades before his retirement.
Separately, the White Coat Waste Project has filed a FOIA lawsuit against the Department of Defense seeking records related to federally funded primate research programs. The group alleges delays in responses to multiple information requests and is seeking documentation tied to research conducted in the United States and abroad.
Additional materials cited by the organization indicate that U.S.-funded research facilities in countries including Thailand and Peru have conducted experiments involving infectious diseases and pharmaceutical testing on animals. The group has also pointed to federal spending tied to animal procurement and transport for research purposes.
The Department of Health and Human Services has not responded to inquiries regarding its current position on funding research related to hormone treatments or animal testing.
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