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H.R. 4007: Prevent Halting of Active Research Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Prevent Halting of Active Research Act of 2025, aims to ensure the continuation and funding of active research overseen by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Below are the key provisions of the bill:

Releasing NIH Grant Funding

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the NIH, is required to:

Immediately release and expend all funding related to existing grant agreements or cooperative agreements that have been established.
Rapidly process and pay all pending reimbursement requests associated with these agreements.
Prohibit the cancellation of any agreement where active and ongoing research is being conducted.

Inclusion of Termination Clauses in NIH Grant Agreements

Any new grant or cooperative agreement established after the enactment of this bill must contain a termination clause that specifies:

Termination can only occur due to a material breach, significant change in circumstances, or mutual agreement by all involved parties.
The party wishing to terminate the agreement must give a written notice at least 90 days before the termination date.
Before terminating the agreement, the party must attempt to amend the agreement's terms with the other parties involved.

Restrictions on Termination for Program Goals or Priorities

The NIH is specifically prohibited from terminating any grant or cooperative agreement established after the bill's enactment solely because the project is no longer meeting specific program goals or agency priorities. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is instructed to revise relevant regulations to align with this prohibition.