,” Sanne told Bhekisisa. “We are trying to prevent the spread of TB in the US, which is currently experiencing a TB outbreak. Our research is directly relevant to the US. Cutting this research is nonsensical.”
He adds: “In fact, we are the only site in the world that is currently conducting TB studies in children. We are not just a South African problem.”
The Wits group’s HIV prevention studies were aimed at finding ways to stop the spread of HIV in young women and girls: “Our studies are particularly aimed at finding ways to prevent HIV in women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa, especially South Africa,” Sanne says. “The US government’s decision to cut this research is a huge setback for the fight against HIV/Aids globally.”
He continues: “We are incredibly disappointed in the US government’s decision. This is a massive blow to us, to South Africa and to the fight against HIV globally.”
“I can’t stress enough how important this work is. We are talking about the lives of millions of people. This decision is not just a loss for us, it’s a loss for the world,” Sanne concludes.
Impact on South Africa’s research landscape
The termination of these grants will have a significant impact on South Africa’s research landscape. The loss of funding will lead to job losses, the closure of research projects, and a setback in the fight against HIV, TB, and other diseases.
Researchers and institutions affected by the cancellation of these grants will have to find alternative sources of funding to continue their work. This will be a challenging task, as the NIH funds a significant portion of South Africa’s medical research.
The cancellation of these grants also raises questions about the future of US-South Africa research collaborations. The abrupt termination of these grants without warning or explanation has damaged trust between the two countries and may discourage future collaborations.
Overall, the cancellation of these grants is a significant blow to South Africa’s research community and the fight against HIV and TB. It is essential for the government and other funders to step in and provide support to ensure that vital research projects can continue.
As for Sanne and Rees, they are determined to find a way to continue their research despite the loss of funding. “We will not give up. Our work is too important to stop now,” Sanne says. “We will find a way to continue our research and fight against HIV and TB, no matter what obstacles are thrown in our way.”
The recent cancellation of billions of rands in South African universities’ US-government funded HIV and TB research grants has sent shockwaves through the country’s research community. The cancellation letters, which started to roll in over the weekend, are expected to affect over 300 grants, leading to massive implications for tertiary learning and research institutions, including substantial job losses.
A significant portion of South Africa’s medical research, estimated to be as much as 70%, is funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US, amounting to around $400 million (approximately R7.2 billion) in the past financial year. The NIH, comprised of 27 institutes and centers focusing on specific areas of research, finances about three-quarters of biomedical research worldwide.
One of the affected institutions, the University of the Witwatersrand’s Wits Health Consortium, received cancellation letters for a grant of $2.5 million awarded through the NIH’s National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases. The grant, which was set to end in November 2027, supported critical HIV and TB prevention and treatment studies.
The termination letters, sent on behalf of USAid’s chief grants management officer Emily Linde, criticized the research projects for allegedly not enhancing health outcomes or lengthening lives. Researchers were accused of harming the health of Americans by conducting studies that did not align with the agency’s priorities.
Among the affected projects are research initiatives at the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (Caprisa), led by Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim. Several South African universities, acting as subgrantees of US institutions, were also impacted by the sudden cancellation of grants.
The cancellation of these grants has raised concerns about the future of medical research in South Africa and the potential loss of critical research projects. Job losses, project closures, and setbacks in the fight against HIV and TB are expected consequences of the funding cuts.
Researchers like Ian Sanne and Helen Rees, who have been at the forefront of HIV and TB research in South Africa, remain determined to continue their work despite the loss of funding. They emphasize the importance of their research in combating diseases like HIV and TB and express their commitment to finding alternative sources of support to sustain their projects.
The abrupt termination of these grants has underscored the vulnerability of research institutions to external funding decisions and highlighted the need for diversified funding sources to ensure the continuity of essential research projects. The impact of these funding cuts on South Africa’s research landscape will be significant, requiring collective efforts to mitigate the adverse effects on scientific progress and public health initiatives. The recent cuts to funding for HIV and TB research in South Africa have sparked concerns among experts about the impact on public health and scientific progress. Linda-Gail Bekker, from the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town, emphasized the importance of ongoing research efforts as TB infections are on the rise in the USA.
The state of Kansas is currently facing its largest TB outbreak in decades, with over 60 reported cases and two deaths. This resurgence of TB, a disease that has been under control for years, highlights the need for continued research and innovation in combating infectious diseases.
Yogan Pillay, head of HIV and TB delivery at the Gates Foundation, expressed grave concerns about the funding cuts, warning that progress in preventing and treating HIV could stall. The termination of grants for vital research projects is seen as a setback in the global fight against HIV and TB.
The Wits project in South Africa, which conducted important TB research, saw its grant terminated despite its significant contributions to understanding and treating the disease. The decision to cut funding was based on the project’s perceived lack of alignment with agency priorities, leaving researchers scrambling to find alternative sources of support.
The termination of grants is part of a broader trend of cost-saving measures and ideological shifts in research funding under the Trump administration. Over 300 US university projects have also had their grants terminated, leading to protests and calls for continued support for scientific research.
South African researchers are exploring options for securing funding from philanthropic foundations and the government to fill the gap left by the terminated grants. While there is uncertainty about the future of these research projects, efforts are being made to appeal the decision and negotiate a responsible termination process.
The impact of these funding cuts extends beyond the loss of individual research projects—it threatens the progress made in combating HIV and TB and saving lives. Researchers are hopeful that by highlighting the value and importance of their work, they can convince funding agencies to reconsider their decisions and prioritize public health and scientific advancement. The Arctic Circle is a region of immense beauty and natural wonder. Located at the northernmost part of the Earth, the Arctic Circle is home to a diverse range of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and unique cultural traditions.
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