02/11/2025
By Anne Maglia
Dear Colleagues,
We want to share an important development regarding National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Late Friday, the NIH announced a new 15 percent cap on indirect costs (IDCs) for all new and existing grants, effective February 10. This change represents a significant departure from the higher indirect cost rates that research institutions, including ours, have historically received, and we recognize that it may raise many questions about the potential impact on our work.
At this time, there is still considerable uncertainty as to how this new policy will be implemented, and what it will mean for ongoing and future research projects. We are in continuous communication with UMPO, our peers, and other stakeholders, and are closely following the recent lawsuit filed by the Mass attorney general which resulted in the temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge (New York Times article).
Until we receive more concrete guidance, please continue to conduct business as usual. This means:
- Proceeding with your current projects and award obligations as scheduled
- Submitting proposals as you normally would, using our current indirect cost rates
- Keeping lines of communication open with our office if you hear anything further from NIH or other sponsors
We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. If you receive any official communications from the NIH or if you have any concerns, please reach out to our team at OSPproposals@uml.edu. Your well-being and the continuation of our research mission remain our highest priorities, and we greatly appreciate your dedication and flexibility as we navigate this evolving situation.
Thank you for your patience and perseverance. We will continue to keep you informed of any developments and work together to support our research community.