Senate minority staff counted $4.49 million lost across three NIH grants

Entities and roles

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Trump-appointed health and human services secretary
• Elon MuskTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work
• Donald J. Trumppresident authorizing the administration action
• National Institutes of Healthresearch funder terminating the examined grants

Relationships in this file

1. Elon Muskstranded prior research spending through grant terminationNational Institutes of Health
2. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed health and human services secretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.
3. Donald J. TrumpTrump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE workElon Musk

Money trail

1. lossSenate minority staff counted $4.49 million lost across three NIH grants$4.49 million

   Estimated loss source

   National Institutes of Health and grantees

   Estimated gain recipient

   Interrupted research costs

   Loss or cost borne by

   Researchers, study participants, and taxpayers

Claims and evidence

1. estimateestimate

   For three NIH grants examined in detail, PSI minority staff estimated $4,486,863.68 in sunk or stranded research cost after termination.

   • U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Minority Staff: The $21.7 Billion Blunder: Analyzing the Waste Generated by DOGEPassages and source records documenting: Senate minority staff counted $4.49 million lost across three NIH grants
2. factdocumented

   Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was the Trump-appointed health and human services secretary.

   • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.Appointment or biography record identifying Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trump-appointed health and human services secretary
3. factdocumented

   Elon Musk was the Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work.

   • The White House: President Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon MuskAppointment or biography record identifying Elon Musk as Trump-appointed senior adviser who led DOGE work