Most medical research in the U.S. is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The current administration is proposing an indirect rate cap for universities, medical centers, and public health research of 15% - this is down from the average of 28%, though some universities have rates as high as 70%.

The NIH states that the cut in indirect rates would save the federal government $4 billion a year.

Indirect costs, which are facilities and administrative costs, are what "keeps the lights on" so to speak. These are an institution's maintenance costs, electricity, water, heating, legal, and compliance costs etc. All of the things that keep a research lab functioning.

In 2023, the NIH stated $9 billion of the $35 billion allocated for biomedical research went to cover the indirect costs at the institutions where grants were awarded.

The cut to the indirect rate will have devastating consequences for the American people both economically and for our health and public health as well as "long-lasting impacts in research and the ability to provide life-saving scientific breakthroughs."

Biomedical research is responsible for many health and public health breakthroughs, treatments, and cures for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, COVID, and many others.

Per Politico, "Red-state universities are hitting back at the Trump administration’s expansive cuts to science and research funding, warning they would be forced to shutter laboratories and lay off staff should they face the sudden elimination of millions of dollars in funding."

A judge blocked this executive order and a hearing is scheduled for Feb 21, 2025.

Call to Action: Call, write, and show up at your congressperson's office. Sign petitions, go on social media, and speak out against this cut to critical research funding.

Resources: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/pain-hits-home-republicans-balk-trumps-spending-cuts-tariffs-rcna191832

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/12/trump-universities-funding-cuts-016328

https://penntoday.upenn.edu/announcements/message-penn-community-recently-announced-federal-funding-cuts

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/02/427121/ucsf-tops-public-universities-nih-research-funding-2023

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/12/healthy-returns-what-to-know-about-trumps-nih-funding-cuts.html

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