The NIH under the Trump administration wants to cut the money it adds to federal research grants to cover laboratory costs and other institutional overhead.
Of the $35 billion NIH spent last year, 25% went to indirect costs. The NIH under the Trump administration wants to cut that to 15%, potentially saving billions of dollars.
One administration official described the money as “a slush fund” for “liberal DEI Deans.”
But attorneys general for 22 states including Rhode Island argue that cutting the rate would “result in layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, and disruption of ongoing research.”
U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley, a Biden appointee, on Monday issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, blocking the proposed change for now.
Research institutions in Rhode Island receive more than $250 million a year in NIH grants.
Last year alone:
- Brown University received $139,061,538
- Rhode Island Hospital received $34,189,075
- The University of Rhode Island received $19,313,058
The pause is to remain in place until otherwise ordered by the court. The judge scheduled a court date of Feb. 21 to hear arguments from both sides.
