HRA Research Update: Federal Court Blocks NIH Indirect Cost Rate Cuts

April 1, 2025 – The NIH proposed guidance sought to impose a 15% cap on F&A cost reimbursement. Judge Angel Kelley of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the NIH policy was “arbitrary and capricious,” as it failed to provide a sufficient rationale for the change. Additionally, the NIH did not follow the required notice-and-comment procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act. The court also concluded that enforcing the guidance could cause “irreparable harm” to research institutions, clinical trials, and public health. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will challenge the injunction or attempt to achieve the same funding adjustments through other avenues. The seven-month continuing resolution passed by Congress extends statutory language preventing the administration from imposing any caps on F&A cost reimbursement.

Recognizing the devastating impact these reductions may have on vital cardiovascular disease research, HRS/HRA proposed a three-part strategy to combat the cuts. Members are urged to contact their state House Representatives and Senators to support NIH-funded research and to push back on this arbitrary reduction in research funding.

A template letter is available for you to personalize and tell your members of Congress about the importance of NIH funding. You can find actual dollar amounts of NIH funding for each state and congressional district to include in your letter here: Federal Research Funding Data.

By raising public awareness and mobilizing support, we can protect cardiovascular research and maintain U.S. leadership in scientific advancements.

Available Resources

• View Nationwide Preliminary Injunction [pdf]