NIH Funding for Animal Research Abroad Banned Under New CARGO Act

The "Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas Act of 2025," or CARGO Act, is pretty straightforward: it stops the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding any research using live animals if that research happens outside the U.S. and its territories. This comes straight from Section 3 of the bill, amending Section 495 of the Public Health Service Act.

No More Money for Overseas Animal Testing

The core of the CARGO Act is a flat-out ban. No NIH money can go to projects using live animals if the research isn't happening on U.S. soil. This is a direct response to some troubling findings. Between 2011 and 2021, the NIH handed out around $2.2 billion to foreign groups for animal research (SEC. 2. Findings). The problem? The NIH doesn't actually inspect these overseas facilities. They rely on self-reporting for animal welfare, which, as Congress points out, creates a big risk of inaccurate info and potential mistreatment.

Real-World Impact: Labs and Taxpayers

This isn't just about paperwork. Think about a U.S. research lab that partners with a facility in, say, Europe. If they're working with animals and getting NIH funding, that overseas part of the project is now cut off. They'll either have to bring the animal research stateside or lose the NIH grant. For taxpayers, this means, in theory, your money is only supporting animal research that's under U.S. oversight – which, presumably, has stricter rules and enforcement.

The Bigger Picture: Accountability and Shifting Research

This bill is all about accountability. Congress is saying, "If we're funding it, we need to know it's meeting our standards." It also raises a practical question: Will this push more animal research into the U.S.? It could mean a boost for domestic research facilities, but it might also complicate international collaborations. It forces a choice: either conduct animal research within U.S. borders and follow its rules, or find funding elsewhere.

One potential challenge? Researchers might try to use U.S. territories that have less strict rules. This could be a loophole that needs watching. The bill is beneficial in its attempt to protect animal welfare, but it will be important to ensure that it doesn't just move the problem to a place with looser regulations.