The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stepped in late to alter a major early childhood research conference agenda, removing nine research sessions—nearly a fifth of the program—less than a week before the National Research Conference on Early Childhood in Arlington, Virginia was scheduled to begin. Researchers said accepted sessions were withdrawn during HHS’s final clearance review despite peer review selection months earlier. Presenters were notified only that “several revisions were required,” with a revised agenda posted June 17 replacing the original. Affected sessions covered childcare licensing, kindergarten transitions, infant mental health and social-emotional development. Universities and organizations named by researchers include the University of Virginia, Yale University, Child Trends, the Urban Institute, and the Office of Head Start within HHS, alongside state early childhood agencies, with many receiving no additional explanation.