Trump Administration's NIH Funding Cuts Blocked by Federal Judge

The sudden policy to drastically reduce indirect costs for research grants faces legal challenges as scientists warn of severe impacts on biomedical research and careers.

A memo from the Trump administration sought to cap NIH indirect costs for research grants at 15%, down from rates as high as 75%, including for already-awarded grants.
The memo, issued without prior consultation or warning, caused confusion and panic within the NIH and the broader research community.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the implementation of the funding cuts, but the disruption to grant processes and research remains significant.
Researchers fear the cuts could jeopardize critical fields like neuroscience, diabetes, autism, and bird flu studies, with some scientists considering leaving the U.S. for opportunities abroad.
The policy is part of broader directives from the administration aimed at reshaping federal funding priorities, which critics argue undermine long-standing support for biomedical innovation.