ASM Statement on NIH Facilities and Administration Cost Cuts
ASM is greatly concerned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that it is immediately capping facilities and administration costs (F&A, also known as indirect costs) to 15% starting Feb. 10, 2025. This will devastate scientific research in the U.S., impact local and regional economies in every corner of the U.S. and have serious consequences for public health.Every American has benefited from NIH-supported medical research, and every American will feel the negative impact of this announcement. Facilities and administration costs support buildings, equipment, maintenance and other operations that are vital to research institutions, including universities. The government’s support of facilities and administrative costs help support physical lab operations, maintenance, data processing and storage, security and critical research infrastructure. This announcement poses a direct and immediate threat to the integrity of American scientific research and innovation. Researchers and staff will lose their jobs, Americans will have to wait longer for cures, and our country will lose its position as a leader in scientific breakthroughs.
ASM urges our members to take this opportunity to contact Congress to tell them to keep this language within any appropriation bills that they consider and to express concerns to NIH’s leadership.
