Exclusive: US NIH scientists barred from attending conferences on their own time and dime

Source: Reuters

April 10, 2025 5:40 PM EDT Updated 10 hours ago

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. National Institutes of Health has reversed a ban on scientists traveling for conferences and meetings, a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told Reuters on Thursday. Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health had been told they cannot attend scientific conferences and meetings without official permission, even if they paid their own way and went during time off, three current and former NIH scientists had told Reuters earlier.

The policy was communicated verbally by managers in at least three of the NIH's 27 institutes and centers but not put into writing, the three sources said. It covered all scientific meetings including conferences, workshops and investigator meetings even if they are local or free, they said.

"We may not attend a conference even if we pay our own way and use personal leave. Even if we don't use our (NIH) affiliation. What one does on their own time is not anyone else's business," said one currently employed NIH scientist who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. Virtual attendance was allowed, the same scientist was told, but not all conferences and events have that option.

After Reuters reported the travel restriction policy earlier on Thursday, an HHS spokesperson said, "Effective April 10, official travel may resume following established approval processes within each Institute and Center." Asked about the policy reversal, one of the NIH scientists said, "I heard it, too. I'd like to see it written."

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-nih-scientists-barred-attending-conferences-their-own-time-dime-2025-04-10/