As many in our community are aware, a recently proposed change to National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy would impose a cap of 15% on indirect costs for NIH-funded research. If implemented, this cap – along with other threats to federal funding and research support that have surfaced in recent weeks – would undermine the critical research infrastructure that has enabled the University of Washington and other research institutions to help the United States to maintain its global leadership in scientific innovation for decades.
We are closely monitoring changes in federal policies and taking actions to slow, mitigate or prevent any possible detrimental impacts they could have on our teaching, research, service and patient care in what is a highly fluid and unstable situation. Our efforts include partnering with the Washington Attorney General’s Office to support lawsuits filed to stop federal funding freezes and the NIH cap on indirect costs. We are pleased that the federal judges in both cases issued temporary restraining orders that bar the funding cuts, and we thank the AG’s office for its swift action. We continue to work closely with our state and federal partners to prevent any permanent reductions in upcoming budget actions and through changes in federal policy. We are also grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation, with whom we are in close contact on these issues.
As our research community knows, indirect costs, or Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, are essential to conducting high-quality research that saves lives and supports the innovations of the future. These funds support critical infrastructure from laboratory space and equipment to research safety and laboratory support positions, and many other necessities vital to conducting cutting-edge research. Our research enterprise depends on federal F&A funds to maintain and expand life-saving medical research and clinical trials. Withdrawing support for these critical expenses would unquestionably stifle innovation and delay advances in areas like cancer, neuroscience, heart health, and infectious diseases, among many fields with the potential to transform health care and save countless lives. It would also have significant economic consequences, with thousands of laboratory, custodial, clinical and technical jobs in Washington and across the country at stake.
Throughout this period of rapid-fire executive orders issued by the President, as well as unexpected and unprecedented directives by federal agencies, we have been and will continue working closely with our R-1 peers, state and federal partners to respond in the manner that best corresponds with our values and educational, research, health care and service missions. While our planning is continuous, any adjustments to our activities will be based on specific and verified information rather than speculation.
Above all, we are committed to supporting our community while navigating this uncertain terrain. We’ve established a central website with up-to-date information and institutional resources, including a site specifically focused on research. Our federal relations team is advocating on our behalf directly with our state delegation and in partnership with our higher education associations and Big Ten partners. We are in daily contact with the Washington Attorney General’s Office to ensure the important work we do in the service of access and excellence is protected to the full extent allowable by law.
Amidst all the noise and chaos, the best thing we can do is continue our work on behalf of the public good – providing our students with transformative learning experiences, discovering innovations and advancements that improve the quality of life for so many in our community, and delivering the highest quality patient care. I am so grateful to be part of a community whose dedication to our mission and values have never been clearer or more important to uphold.