Release of U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research

On July 28, 2026, the Administration released the U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, pursuant to Executive Order 14292 on "Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research.”

This new government-wide policy defines areas of life sciences research that pose the greatest risk to our nation's security, implements federal funding prohibitions, and establishes a framework for addressing risk and ensuring compliance. In addition to banning federal support for dangerous gain-of-function research, the policy introduces enhanced review and reporting requirements for all life sciences research, including independent, top-down assessments for projects that may increase the harmful consequences of biological agents, and introduces new restrictions for research conducted outside of the United States.

As NIH implements this policy for the science it supports, we will work closely with the research community to reinforce the shared responsibility of every scientist to thoughtfully evaluate the potential benefits and risks of every experiment and ensure that biomedical research advances safely, responsibly, and in service of the American people.

It is expected that all NIH staff and researchers review his policy in detail. HHS and NIH will work with the interagency and research community in developing resources and issuing oversight implementation guidance within 120 days per the policy. NIH has also released a Director’s Statement and NOT-OD-26-101 to alert the research community and make it clear that all research activities identified as potential dangerous gain-of-function research remained paused until NIH specific implementation requirements are established.