NIH Names Acting Directors Amid Funding Uncertainty

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on April 25, 2025, that it has appointed six acting directors to oversee various institutes. This decision follows the departure of several leaders during the Trump administration.

According to an email from the NIH Executive Secretariat, Courtney Aklin will lead the National Institute of Nursing Research, Alison Cernich will take charge of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development, Monica Webb Hooper is set to direct the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Andrea Beckel-Mitchener will head the National Institute of Mental Health, Carolyn Hutter will oversee the National Human Genome Research Institute, and Jeff Taubenberger has been appointed to manage the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The NIH encouraged staff to welcome these “distinguished colleagues” as they step into their new roles. However, some uncertainty looms over their future positions. A draft budget presented on April 16 by the Trump administration proposed a staggering 40% cut to NIH’s funding and a significant reorganization of the agency.

If implemented, the budget could consolidate the current 27 institutes into eight, resulting in the elimination of four centers, including the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Further, it suggests merging the National Institute of Mental Health with other institutes to form a new entity named the National Institute of Behavioral Health.

The outcome of these proposed changes remains unclear, leaving the roles of the newly appointed directors uncertain.