01
Fauci joins the National Institutes of Health
Begins work as a clinical associate in the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation.
Independent public-record archiveUpdated Jul 29, 2026
The Fauci FilesPublic-record archiveChronology / 1968–2026
Timeline
A selective chronology of Fauci’s public service, the COVID-19 response, funding disputes, and subsequent investigations.
Documented
02
Named director of NIAID
Leads the institute through HIV/AIDS, biodefense, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19.
03
PEPFAR begins
Fauci helps design the U.S. global HIV/AIDS initiative proposed by President George W. Bush.
04
EcoHealth coronavirus grant begins
NIAID grant supports bat-coronavirus research that includes a Wuhan Institute subaward.
05
Early origins discussions
Scientists and federal officials discuss natural spillover and possible laboratory scenarios.
06
Proximal Origin published
Authors argue the virus was not a laboratory construct or purposefully manipulated.
07
Public masking guidance changes
Federal officials move toward recommending community masking.
08
Gain-of-function dispute intensifies
Fauci and Senator Rand Paul clash repeatedly over NIH funding and terminology.
09
Fauci leaves federal service
Retires after 38 years as NIAID director.
10
ODNI releases WIV assessment
The intelligence community reports continuing disagreement and generally low confidence.
11
Public House testimony
Fauci answers questions about pandemic policy, records practices, funding, and origins.
12
Senate testimony
Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment during a subpoenaed committee appearance.