Overview
- U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, pausing the NIH's proposed 15% cap on indirect research cost reimbursements.
- The plaintiffs, including 22 state attorneys general, universities, and medical associations, argued the cuts would harm research capacity, halt clinical trials, and lead to job losses.
- Judge Kelley ruled the NIH policy violated federal law and administrative procedures, deeming it arbitrary, capricious, and not subjected to required public input processes.
- The NIH's proposal aimed to save $4 billion annually by reducing indirect cost payments, reallocating funds to new research grants, but faced strong opposition from research institutions.
- The case highlights broader concerns among researchers about the Trump administration's approach to science funding and its potential long-term impact on U.S. biomedical research.