Executive Order 13505: Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells
President: Barack Obama
Removed presidential limits on federal support for scientifically worthy human embryonic stem-cell research and required new NIH safeguards.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13505 still in effect? Yes. EO 13505 remains the underlying presidential research policy. NIH paused new embryonic stem-cell registry applications on January 23, 2026, while allowing previously approved lines to remain eligible.
What does Executive Order 13505 do?
EO 13505 removed presidential policy restrictions on federal support for human embryonic stem-cell research. Obama argued that the prior eight years' restrictions limited scientific inquiry and that ethically responsible research could improve understanding and treatment of disabling conditions. The operative language authorized HHS, through NIH, to support and conduct scientifically worthy human stem-cell research, including embryonic research, only to the extent permitted by law. Signed order.
The order did not itself approve every cell line or grant. It directed NIH to review existing guidance and recognized safeguards, then issue new guidelines within 120 days and update them periodically. Researchers seeking NIH support consequently faced a changed eligibility framework rather than a blanket exemption from ethics review. The July 2009 guidelines established criteria concerning embryos originally created for reproductive purposes, informed consent and documentation, with review procedures for eligible lines. Signed order.
Before and after
Before the order
The August 9, 2001 presidential statement limited federal support to certain previously derived embryonic cell lines. EO 13435 supplemented that policy. EO 13505 made the 2001 statement ineffective as government policy and revoked EO 13435, removing those presidential barriers without changing congressional restrictions on the use of appropriated funds. Signed order.
After the order
NIH could fund research involving additional eligible lines after applying its guidelines. The agency issued its final guidelines effective July 7, 2009, and announced the first approved lines in December 2009. On January 23, 2026, NIH announced a pause in review and approval of applications for new registry lines while assessing alternatives and research needs. It expressly allowed already approved registry lines to continue in NIH-funded research; a pause on new applications therefore was not a ban on all existing funded work. Signed order. Sources: NIH final guidelines, effective July 7, 2009; First approved stem-cell lines; NIH 2026 registry pause notice; Current NIH guidelines and statutory limits.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Human Services Secretary | Authorize and oversee responsible human stem-cell research through NIH and revise guidance within legal funding limits. | New guidance within 120 days of March 9, 2009; periodic review thereafter. |
| NIH Director / National Institutes of Health | Review existing guidelines and safeguards, issue new research guidance, and periodically update it. | Within 120 days; updates as appropriate. |
What happened next
Obama removed the 2001 presidential funding limitation and revoked EO 13435. Official source
Final NIH human stem-cell research guidelines became effective. Official source
NIH announced the first embryonic stem-cell lines approved under the new guidelines. Official source
NIH paused new registry submissions while retaining eligibility of previously approved lines. Official source
Court status
See the court documents in Sources by type.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The order's authority was presidential supervision of HHS and NIH under the Constitution and applicable statutes; it did not repeal the Dickey–Wicker appropriations limitation. NIH funding cannot pay for creation of human embryos for research or research in which embryos are destroyed, discarded or subjected to prohibited risk. Funding work using qualifying existing cell lines is analytically different from funding the derivation that destroyed an embryo. NIH's guidelines explain that distinction and retain consent and provenance requirements. EO 13505 is also subject to appropriations and creates no privately enforceable entitlement to a grant. The 2026 NIH notice invoked EO 13505 as the research authority while changing registry administration. It does not announce revocation of the order, permanent closure of the registry or removal of previously eligible lines, so those stronger claims would misdescribe the primary record. Signed order. Sources: NIH final guidelines, effective July 7, 2009; First approved stem-cell lines; NIH 2026 registry pause notice; Current NIH guidelines and statutory limits.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- NIH — Human Stem Cell Research Guidelines (opens in a new tab) Official record
- D.C. Circuit — Sherley v. Sebelius (opens in a new tab) Official record
- Executive Order 13505: signed text
- NIH final guidelines, effective July 7, 2009
- First approved stem-cell lines
- NIH 2026 registry pause notice
- Current NIH guidelines and statutory limits
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 15, 2026. How we research →