Researchers criticize NIH order to harm research infrastructure

Researchers strongly criticized a National Institutes of Health order to lower the maximum “indirect cost rate” that research institutions can charge the government, saying it could have devastating consequences for the nation’s position as a research leader. The NIH policy capped the indirect cost rate for infrastructure costs such as facilities, maintenance and security at 15%; the average NIH grant to an institution earmarks about 30% for indirect costs. Twenty-two state attorneys general sued the administration Feb. 10 over the policy; a federal judge blocked it a day later. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Katie Britt, R-Ala., objected to the cuts, although Cassidy and Britt said they were open to thoughtful and targeted reforms.