The Trump Administration could soon realize a desire that would significantly impact sports.
According to ESPN, the 2026 fiscal budget includes a request to Congress seeking to cut significant federal funding for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and education.
Such an endeavor would slow efforts to gain a deeper understanding of and deal with head injuries in sports, especially at the high school and youth tiers.
This directly impacts the NFL and the players in regards to concussions and CTE
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) May 5, 2025
And yet they will fall right in line like they have been
Trump plan cuts funding for brain injury research – via @ESPN App https://t.co/icgozksOTB
The White House proposed a budget on Friday that seeks to remove the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agency that oversees brain injury research and public education on the dangers of concussion.
A total of $8.25 million has been proposed for such research, but it now appears it’s in jeopardy, with the CDC already facing $3.59 million in budget cuts.
The Trump Administration Could “Roll Back Decades Of Progress” With Proposed Budget Cuts
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The decision will be up to Congress, which will approve the final budget bill. Thus the TBI program could either be moved to a different agency or revamped.
According to Dr. Owen Perlman, a brain injury specialist and board member of the Brain Injury Association of America, the cuts would “roll back decades of progress.”
A concussion-prevention program for youth and high school coaches, athletic trainers, and other sports officials called ‘Heads Up’ has also been marked for cuts. According to a CDC official who spoke to ESPN under the promise of anonymity, 45 of the 50 American states participate in the program at various levels.
“We’re really worried about the hundreds of thousands of coaches who have to take this training,” the official added. “This is really built in, and we’ve lost the whole team [behind the program].”
Other staff members declined to speak on the record as they harbor fears of “administration retribution.”
The White House did not respond to ESPN’s request for comment.
