President Donald Trump's administration has announced significant budget cuts to grants for biomedical research to reduce overall expenditure, a decision criticized by some scientists who fear it will impede scientific progress.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated that it will reduce grants for "indirect costs" linked to research, such as building maintenance and equipment. The NIH emphasized the importance of directing funds towards direct scientific research expenses rather than administrative overhead.
The cuts, effective from Monday, are projected to save $4bn (£3.2bn). The NIH plans to limit the indirect research costs covered by grants to 15%, down from the current average of 30%.
Elon Musk, heading the unofficial cost-cutting group Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) designated by Trump, criticized universities for spending over 30% on overheads. Musk questioned, "Can you believe that universities with tens of billions in endowments were siphoning off 60% of research award money for 'overhead'? What a ripoff!"
Scientists have raised concerns about the impact of these cuts on crucial medical research. Various associations and groups, including the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Council on Education, expressed worries that reducing support for indirect costs will hinder research progress and innovation.
Anusha Kalbasi, a lead radiation oncologist at Stanford University, stressed the importance of these grants in sustaining research activities and essential services within laboratories. The American Council on Education emphasized that funding for indirect costs is crucial for universities to maintain cutting-edge facilities and technologies necessary for innovative research.
Groups are anticipated to file a lawsuit against the cuts on Monday, proposing that Congress should cap the indirect cost rate paid to universities to ensure it aligns with rates accepted from private organizations for research funding.