] A group of 77 intramural National Institutes of Health
] (NIH) scientists has joined several hundred of their
] extramural microbiologist colleagues in criticizing the
] agency's funding priorities. In response to letters from
] both groups, NIH director Elias Zerhouni has agreed to
] meet with their organizers.

Lots of good links in this article, including links to the original letter, and to the NIH's response. Why do so many Microbiologists feel that funding has dried up if is hasn't actually dried up? Its obvious that the priorities have changed, but the NIH is holding the details of those changes close to it's heart. Those changes may not be related to bioterrorism. Maybe they are related to something else. Possibly the money is being diverted away from University research and more toward the private sector?

A good quote in response to NIH's response: "Seven hundred and fifty people didn't sign this letter because they were confused and there is no issue," says Robert Landick, a bacteriologist at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

The Scientist :: NIH scientists criticize agency