Case: Perera v. National Institute of Health

8:26-cv-02389 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: June 15, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case further). Two Northwestern University researchers sued NIH and HHS after NIH terminated their federally funded grants in April 2025, citing DEI-related Executive Orders. The terminations, based on keyword searches rather than scientific review, caused lab closures and staff losses, prompting claims of First Amendment retaliation, Fifth Amendment equal protection violations, and Affordable Care Act discrimination.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73486184/parties/perera-v-national-institute-of-health/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Schott, Bernard (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Schott, Bernard (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 8:26-cv-02389	Complaint Perera v. National Institute of Health et al.	June 15, 2026	June 15, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73486184/perera-v-national-institute-of-health/

Last updated July 3, 2026, 3:07 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Jay Bhattacharya, ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR, National Institute of Health, United States Departhment of Health and Human Services ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMDDC-12823436.), filed by Minoli Perera, melissa simon. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons National Institute of Health, # 3 Summons Director, National Institute of Health, # 4 Summons United States Department of Health and Human Services, # 5 Summons Director, United States Department of Health and Human Services)(Schott, Bernard) (Entered: 06/15/2026)	June 15, 2026	June 15, 2026 Clearinghouse
	Case Assigned to Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby. (jf3s, Deputy Clerk)	June 15, 2026	June 15, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 15, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of Maryland 8:26-cv-02389

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Perera v. National Institute of Health, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48300/.