To the Case Western Reserve University community,
Last week’s news of drastic cuts to indirect costs associated with National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants continues to be a shock for many researchers at Case Western Reserve and beyond. As I noted Saturday evening, individuals across the university and at partner institutions and advocacy groups are working to understand the impacts of this new policy guidance—and to challenge it.
Yesterday, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and other hospital groups filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts challenging the cap; the federal judge granted a nationwide restraining order blocking the NIH guidance, which means the 15% maximum on facilities and administrative (F&A) costs is not enacted at this time. In addition, 22 state attorneys general filed a separate suit in the same district court on behalf of their states. In this case, the judge asked the NIH to file regular status reports with the court to ensure proper disbursement of funds and compliance with the court’s temporary restraining order for these 22 states.
That same day, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the American Council on Education and the Association of American Universities—the latter two of which Case Western Reserve is a member—filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to block implementation of the policy statement. This suit seeks a nationwide injunction.
I realize there are still many questions surrounding these changes. For principal investigators, please continue conducting research as normal. You are able to continue to submit grants with the current CWRU F&A rate.
Importantly, it is currently not possible to request a no-cost extension for NIH and National Science Foundation grants via their websites. There has been no communication from the agencies about why that is or if the ability to request a no-cost extension will be reinstated.
While these lawsuits and rulings are a welcome relief, they are, at the moment, only temporary. Please know we will continue to advocate on behalf of the critical research being conducted at our university and across the country—life-changing, life-saving work that is invaluable to advancing our society and keeping the United States at the forefront of innovation.
I know these changes and, especially, the questionable legality of such measures is stressful and unnerving. We will continue to provide updates to our community as they are available.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President