AZ Faust
@azfaust.bsky.social
Mostly about grants. Some about education.
The biggest clue to cranks that there is no vaccine conspiracy is that Doctors and Scientists continue to vaccinate their own children at record rates.
"I asked Offit if he saw a way to reverse the public’s rising distrust in science. “I don’t think there is any way to regain that trust other than have the viruses do the education, and the bacteria do the education, and then people will realize they paid way too high a cost,” he said."
Why Is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. So Convinced He’s Right?
How an outsider, once ignored by the public-health establishment, became the most powerful man in science
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The biggest clue to cranks that there is no vaccine conspiracy is that Doctors and Scientists continue to vaccinate their own children at record rates.
Reposted by AZ Faust
Here we go. Its ALL #NIHGrant applications. Dec 8 is the new deadline. And a one page prelim data update will be accepted for all May Council submissions. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-012: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations NOT-...
grants.nih.gov
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Here we go. Its ALL #NIHGrant applications. Dec 8 is the new deadline. And a one page prelim data update will be accepted for all May Council submissions. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Looking at prices of some of these discontinued lego sets and I think there may be a years-worth-of-college-tuition in my basement...
November 23, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Looking at prices of some of these discontinued lego sets and I think there may be a years-worth-of-college-tuition in my basement...
Not trying to be a jerk, but those do not look like HeLa cells to me.
I tried an even harder example on Gemini Pro image generation and this is quite scary/amazing. I asked for a microscopy image of around 20 HeLa cells, GFP tagged 20% nuclear, 10% membrane, +1 nuclear staining, + overlap. Image below and prompt in the following post.
November 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Not trying to be a jerk, but those do not look like HeLa cells to me.
If you stop all the vaccines tomorrow, in 10 years, the rates of autism would stay exactly the same but there would be about 30-40% less children in this country.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
If you stop all the vaccines tomorrow, in 10 years, the rates of autism would stay exactly the same but there would be about 30-40% less children in this country.
Me, watching changes at the NIH, CDC, etc...
a close up of a man 's face with a beard and long hair
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a beard and long hair
media.tenor.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Me, watching changes at the NIH, CDC, etc...
Reposted by AZ Faust
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
This is correct.
Don't get me wrong, Trump is dangerous but he can also be manipulated - he has no core opinions about anything. Put the right people around him, and he'll become a proponent for universal healthcare.
RFK Jr will kill thousands of children.
Don't get me wrong, Trump is dangerous but he can also be manipulated - he has no core opinions about anything. Put the right people around him, and he'll become a proponent for universal healthcare.
RFK Jr will kill thousands of children.
Remember when. Dr. Sen. Bill Cassidy obtained a promise from RFK Jr. not to remove CDC language about vaccines not causing autism?
What If the Most Dangerous Man in the Administration Isn’t Donald Trump?
The U.S. government is now pushing misinformation.
www.thebulwark.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This is correct.
Don't get me wrong, Trump is dangerous but he can also be manipulated - he has no core opinions about anything. Put the right people around him, and he'll become a proponent for universal healthcare.
RFK Jr will kill thousands of children.
Don't get me wrong, Trump is dangerous but he can also be manipulated - he has no core opinions about anything. Put the right people around him, and he'll become a proponent for universal healthcare.
RFK Jr will kill thousands of children.
The 13-year-old has discovered the joy of naps. His 4-year-old self would be disgusted.
November 20, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The 13-year-old has discovered the joy of naps. His 4-year-old self would be disgusted.
Yes, which is exactly the goal - to make US a terrible place to do science.
The administration is building a legal pathway for ad hoc grant terminations:
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Yes, which is exactly the goal - to make US a terrible place to do science.
Since it's that time again, where everyone freaks out about ADHD medication, a couple of reminders:
- non-stimulant medication is available and is as effective as stimulant medication in controlling major ADHD symptoms
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- non-stimulant medication is available and is as effective as stimulant medication in controlling major ADHD symptoms
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The effects of chronic administration of stimulant and non-stimulant medications on executive functions in ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with executive function deficits that are improved with medications. However, meta-analy…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Since it's that time again, where everyone freaks out about ADHD medication, a couple of reminders:
- non-stimulant medication is available and is as effective as stimulant medication in controlling major ADHD symptoms
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- non-stimulant medication is available and is as effective as stimulant medication in controlling major ADHD symptoms
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by AZ Faust
BREAKING: F31 and F32 fellowships will be administered by the Department of Labor going forward.
The reason they are moving education programs to the Department of Labor is exactly the reason you think.
November 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
BREAKING: F31 and F32 fellowships will be administered by the Department of Labor going forward.
Healthcare and higher education should be free
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Healthcare and higher education should be free
Reposted by AZ Faust
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
Resumption of Operations at NSF
Information for NSF staff and the research community regarding the agency's resumption of operations after a lapse in appropriations.
www.nsf.gov
November 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
Not just profs - this is true for any professional. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist!
Pet peeve: when someone invites you to a meeting but instead of sending a calendar invitation, they just send a zoom link in an email.
If you want profs to actually show up for meetings-- send a calendar invitation!
#AcademicSky #ScienceSky #MedSky #EpiSky
If you want profs to actually show up for meetings-- send a calendar invitation!
#AcademicSky #ScienceSky #MedSky #EpiSky
a netflix ad shows a woman in a blue dress
ALT: a netflix ad shows a woman in a blue dress
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Not just profs - this is true for any professional. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t exist!
Reposted by AZ Faust
If paylines stay around 5%ile for some ICs, this might save everyone a lot of time. You can meet for a few hours in the morning and be done with the grants that even have a chance at being picked up.
With a shutdown likely end of Jan, the NIH will struggle to spend it's appropriations this FY.
With a shutdown likely end of Jan, the NIH will struggle to spend it's appropriations this FY.
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
If paylines stay around 5%ile for some ICs, this might save everyone a lot of time. You can meet for a few hours in the morning and be done with the grants that even have a chance at being picked up.
With a shutdown likely end of Jan, the NIH will struggle to spend it's appropriations this FY.
With a shutdown likely end of Jan, the NIH will struggle to spend it's appropriations this FY.
Reposted by AZ Faust
Correct guidance link: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-005: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities NOT-OD-26-005. NIH
grants.nih.gov
November 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Correct guidance link: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by AZ Faust
Updated guidance about study sections and due dates during the shut down. (Given the number of emails about issues with submission/letters of rec I had, this will help with those). grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-004: Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Information for the NIH Extramural Community During the Lapse of Federal Government Funding NOT-OD-26-004. NIH
grants.nih.gov
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Updated guidance about study sections and due dates during the shut down. (Given the number of emails about issues with submission/letters of rec I had, this will help with those). grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by AZ Faust
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
Reposted by AZ Faust
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
Reposted by AZ Faust
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
The face of every woman who worked in academic science at some point in her life
November 13, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The face of every woman who worked in academic science at some point in her life
Reposted by AZ Faust
Adding more signs of how NIH science is/was broken: my lab team could not show up for 3 more accepted talks at scientific conferences, totaling 9 for the year now. If you interview current NIH trainees for grad or med schools please understand that we are giving them the best experience we can.
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Adding more signs of how NIH science is/was broken: my lab team could not show up for 3 more accepted talks at scientific conferences, totaling 9 for the year now. If you interview current NIH trainees for grad or med schools please understand that we are giving them the best experience we can.
Reposted by AZ Faust
as a bosnian, i cannot accept this depoliticization of the mass murder that was directed against us. to brazenly claim that the violence has "no political or religious motivation" is beneath common sense. it harms any understanding of what happened in sarajevo and bosnia
“There were no political or religious motivations. They were rich people who went there for fun and personal satisfaction. We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safari in Africa.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
as a bosnian, i cannot accept this depoliticization of the mass murder that was directed against us. to brazenly claim that the violence has "no political or religious motivation" is beneath common sense. it harms any understanding of what happened in sarajevo and bosnia
Reposted by AZ Faust
Up to 323 cancelled CSR study sections. That's more than the 204 sections cancelled earlier this year. Rescheduling is going to be a hot mess with NIH staff reductions and study section members heading into finals and holidays that limit availability. 🧪
Been a rough year for federally funded scientists, and I hate to add another tab to this spreadsheet. So far, the shutdown has resulted in cancellation of 161 CSR study sections. 🧪https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lLEx14q7HKrlYahQYJaN6aHKpMqSMJwX4aenyL5g_ZU/edit?usp=sharing
2025 Study section tracking
docs.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Up to 323 cancelled CSR study sections. That's more than the 204 sections cancelled earlier this year. Rescheduling is going to be a hot mess with NIH staff reductions and study section members heading into finals and holidays that limit availability. 🧪