Judge Extends Block on Trump NIH Cuts

A federal judge has extended a temporary restraining order preventing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from capping indirect costs at research universities and medical schools at 15%, pending a decision on a preliminary injunction. The Trump administration's proposal to cut NIH indirect cost funding would significantly reduce support for research institutions across the U.S., which received nearly $35 billion in grants last year. Legal challenges have been filed by states and institutions arguing that the cuts would undermine critical medical advancements and violate legislative appropriations. The decision has sparked significant opposition, with various stakeholders, including state attorneys general and educational institutions, arguing that such cuts would cause irreparable harm to research and innovation. Additionally, the broader context of Trump's administrative cuts includes layoffs and funding freezes impacting federal employees and research initiatives, further exacerbating concerns about the future of scientific and medical research in the country. The NIH funding cap proposal is part of larger federal budget cuts affecting diverse sectors, including education and environmental conservation programs.