Late Friday, President Trump’s administration revealed plans to significantly cut payments from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to universities, hospitals, and research institutes. Critics warn this could severely hurt scientific research across the nation.
NIH grants fund not just research costs, but also crucial overhead expenses like building maintenance and utility bills. Typically, about 30% of an NIH grant is set aside for these indirect costs, though some institutions receive more. Starting Monday, the NIH announced a new flat rate of 15% for all new and existing grants. They claim this change will save taxpayers over $4 billion annually.
Elon Musk, who is now overseeing federal efficiency initiatives, voiced his opinion, suggesting that some universities were unfairly taking large percentages of research funding for overhead expenses. He criticized the existing system in a social media post.
This reduction in funding is occurring alongside other budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration and Musk. Reports indicate plans to cut the National Science Foundation’s budget drastically and lay off many employees from Health and Human Services. This has raised alarms about the future of scientific research in the U.S.
Experts in science and medicine argue that such cuts will disrupt research on a large scale, forcing labs to close, staff to be laid off, and important projects to be halted. Many worry this puts the U.S.’s status as a leader in science and medicine at risk.
Jeffrey Flier, a medicine professor at Harvard, expressed deep concern over these funding reductions, calling them chaotic and harmful to research communities nationwide. F. Perry Wilson, an associate professor at Yale, echoed these sentiments, stating that the funding cuts would lead to major layoffs at research institutions that engage in fundamental science, which often lacks immediate financial returns.
Legal challenges are expected against the administration’s decision. According to Samuel Bagenstos, who previously served as general counsel to the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress has restricted the NIH from changing its funding approach without approval. Senator Patty Murray warned that the funding cuts could have dire consequences for patients relying on ongoing research and treatments. She highlighted that these changes could halt critical clinical trials, putting vulnerable patients at risk.
Check out this related article: Urgent: How NIH Cuts to ‘Indirect Costs’ Could Impact University Research and Scientific Progress
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