NIH plans to slash support for indirect research costs, sending shockwaves through science – STAT
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By Jonathan Wosen, Megan Molteni, Jason Mast, and Usha Lee McFarling Feb. 7, 2025The National Institutes of Health, the nation’s premier funder of biomedical research, announced Friday night that it will immediately slash support for “indirect costs” paid to universities, medical centers, and other research grant recipients, funding that the nation’s science enterprise relies on for basic operating costs. In an announcement issued by the NIH Office of the Director, the agency noted that it has historically supported indirect costs — administrative, facility, and other expenses not directly linked to the goals of a scientific project — with funds that averaged at around 27% of the cost of a research grant. Going forward, the rate of support will now be 15% for new and existing grants. The cut is a major blow to the nation’s most elite research universities, which often get a rate of more than 50% to cover indirect costs.advertisementA post on X from the agency regarding the change noted that, of the $35 billion NIH spent on research grants during the 2023 fiscal year, $9 billion went to indirect costs. The post noted that the change would save the government $4 billion a year.STAT+ Exclusive StoryAlready have an account? Log inAlready have an account? Log inMonthly$39Totals $468 per yearTotals $468 per yearStarter$30for 3 months, then $399/yearThen $399/yearAnnual$399Save 15%Save 15%11+ UsersCustomSavings start at 25%!Savings start at 25%!2-10 Users$300Annually per user$300 Annually per user
To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Jonathan WosenWest Coast Biotech & Life Sciences ReporterJonathan Wosen is STAT’s West Coast biotech & life sciences reporter.Megan MolteniScience WriterMegan Molteni reports on discoveries from the frontiers of genomic medicine, neuroscience, and reproductive tech. She joined STAT in 2021 after covering health and science at WIRED. Jason MastGeneral Assignment ReporterJason Mast is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the science behind new medicines and the systems and people that decide whether that science ever reaches patients. Usha Lee McFarlingNational Science CorrespondentUsha Lee McFarling, a veteran science reporter based in Los Angeles, has written for STAT since 2015 and covers health disparities. Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day
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Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/07/nih-slashes-indirect-costs-on-all-grants-to-15-percent-trump/
