Federal Judge Blocks NIH Funding Cuts Impacting 23 States

A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration policy that would significantly reduce funding for medical research by capping indirect cost reimbursements from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 15%. This ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley, is a response to lawsuits filed by 23 states and various research institutions, which argued that the cuts would inflict 'irreparable harm' on ongoing research into critical diseases. The NIH, which awarded around $35 billion in grants last year, had aimed to save $4 billion annually by limiting indirect costs, which cover essential administrative expenses. Opponents of the policy highlight that indirect costs support vital research infrastructure, including safety compliance and facility maintenance. The judge's preliminary injunction allows ongoing litigation to proceed while the funding cuts remain on hold. Dr. David J. Skorton of the Association of American Medical Colleges expressed support for the ruling, emphasizing the significance of indirect costs in research funding.