VA Extends Research Grants by 90 Days Over Trump Administration Cuts

The Department of Veterans Affairs extended research assistance for 90 days to temporary researchers whose medical studies suffered from government cuts. The department offers emergency funding help to protect medical research work at the end of hundreds of projects impacted by the new administration’s restricted hiring policy.

The USA TODAY reported from the agency that it has now extended the temporary researcher access but did not widely share this information which is needed to keep certain research projects going. The agency allows temporary researchers to retain their time protection when their studies will complete within three months but not longer-term research.

Our research team faces constant uncertainty that an unexpected development could destroy the study’s progress according to the anonymous staffer. The team lost one worker through recent personnel reductions which severely affected their productivity.

VA spokesman Peter Kasperowicz explained that the time extension will keep all research going until the department completes its evaluation. The agency refused to discuss its future plans after 90 days ended plus denied clarifying chances for reinstating former staff.

These personnel reductions caused problems that expanded further than what was shown in official records. During their cuts of administrative support, the administration damaged key research operations. These staff duties included patient contact and keeping scientific investigations going over time.