1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) decision to cap indirect cost funding at 15% of grants, a drastic reduction from current rates that will severely impact medical research across the country. This decision threatens the infrastructure that supports lifesaving discoveries and puts the United States at a competitive disadvantage in the global research landscape. At Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, there is a negotiated F&A rate of 57%, meaning a 15% cap would represent more than a 2/3rds cut. Rutgers estimates a loss of $22 million this fiscal year, and a $57.5 million annual loss following if these caps are not reversed. Rutgers University not only does groundbreaking research, but the overhead from the F&A costs also helps to support service grants and medical care through maintaince of facilities and employing support staff. A 15% cap would mean not only massive financial losses, including the loss of purchased materials that will be unable to be used, but also a massive loss to the field of medicine, and to America's reputation as a leader on the front lines of research. Indirect costs are not bureaucratic excess; they are essential funds that maintain the facilities, equipment, and administrative support necessary for groundbreaking scientific advancements. Universities, medical schools, and research institutions rely on these funds to sustain laboratories, train the next generation of scientists, and ensure compliance with critical regulations. Slashing this funding will force institutions to divert resources from research itself, slowing progress on cures, treatments, and medical innovations that save lives. It is deeply troubling that this change, which goes into effect immediately, was made without proper consultation with the scientific community. Experts have already warned that this policy will cripple ongoing research and undermine the long-standing partnership between the federal government and research institutions. The consequences will be felt not only by scientists but by the millions of Americans who benefit from NIH-funded discoveries in cancer treatment, infectious disease prevention, and neurological disorders, among many other fields. I urge you to take immediate action to oppose this funding cap and advocate for continued, full support of NIH research grants, including the indirect costs necessary to sustain them. We must ensure that taxpayer dollars continue to drive innovation, not hinder it. I appreciate your leadership on this critical issue and respectfully request that you publicly oppose this policy and work toward a solution that preserves America’s leadership in medical research. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter, and to every other matter being thrown at you. I trust in your ability to keep us safe and healthy here in NJ.