What’s at stake in Friday’s court hearing on NIH research indirect cost cuts Judge will be asked to extend a stay on Trump administration cap on grant overhead payments

https://www.statnews.com/2025/02/20/trump-nih-research-cuts-lawsuit-challenges-cap-on-indirect-costs-fed-court-hearing/?preview=true&_thumbnail_id=1280431&utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9bYPDsvhFnrndDnHYxaHAi97C9NTNyxequNtE1u-25UCbUIig8DjOv-bxcCKlOg3wcg6bZ-C9VSqQxADSJoloDh9UaQA&_hsmi=348291083&utm_content=348291083&utm_source=hs_email Can NIH lower indirect research costs? Intrepid reporter Anil Oza will be heading to a Massachusetts courtroom today to see whether lawsuits will block the National Institutes of Health’s attempt to cut $4 billion for research, and here he explains what's at stake. Two weeks ago, the agency announced that it planned to cap indirect costs, ending support for any administrative, facility, and other expenses not directly linked to the goals of a scientific project. The move caused widespread outrage and bewilderment among academics. Three lawsuits temporarily halted the agency’s moves, and observers are eager for any indication of the judge’s leaning and whether she will uphold the pause, as the changes would have massive impacts upon scientific research. Existing indirect costs range from 20%-60% of grants; NIH wants to slash them to 15%. More from Anil today; keep refreshing that STAT homepage.