I am writing to express my strong opposition to the recent move by the Trump administration to cap so-called "indirect costs" for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). This decision threatens billions of dollars in critical research funding and undermines the infrastructure that allows scientific progress to continue in the United States.
Indirect costs cover essential expenses such as facility maintenance, research staff salaries, and infrastructure-without them, groundbreaking research simply cannot happen. By placing an immediate cap on these funds, research institutions across the country will face devastating budget shortfalls, forcing layoffs and jeopardizing critical medical and scientific advancements. This decision disregards years of financial planning at universities and institutions, creating a funding crisis overnight.
NIH and NSF research not only drive scientific innovation but also significantly contribute to the U.S. economy. Every dollar of NIH funding generates $2.46 in economic activity. NIH-funded research has led to lifesaving treatments for cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, while NSF funding is vital for advancements in fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. In 2023 alone, NIH-supported research created over 400,000 jobs and generated nearly $93 billion in economic impact. Cutting indirect costs will shrink our research capacity, eliminate jobs, and weaken America's global standing in science and technology.
Furthermore, there are serious legal concerns about whether this decision falls within the administration's authority. Policy changes of this magnitude should go through Congress, not be imposed unilaterally. I urge you to take immediate action to block this harmful policy and protect the future of American research and innovation.
Please let me know what steps you are taking to address this urgent issue. I appreciate your time and your leadership on this matter.
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