Judge Blocks NIH Funding Caps, HHS Plans Appeal

A federal judge in Massachusetts has permanently blocked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from capping indirect costs for research grants at 15%, a policy initiated by the Trump administration that critics argue would severely harm medical research funding. Judge Angel Kelley ruled that the NIH's actions were 'arbitrary and capricious' and failed to adhere to proper federal procedures. The NIH has indicated its plans to appeal the ruling, which may prolong the legal dispute over research funding policies. The cap would have limited reimbursements for essential overhead costs, hindering scientific progress and access to clinical trials according to various stakeholders, including universities and healthcare advocates. Meanwhile, attorneys general from multiple states are also challenging the administration’s termination of NIH grants for various health-related studies, asserting it threatens public health and disrupts critical research. These legal challenges highlight ongoing tensions regarding federal funding for biomedical research amidst administrative changes.