National Prevention Science Coalition
Resources in Response to NIH-funded grant indirect rate capped at 15%
Dear friends,
We have been marshalling our resources to advocate for the research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that is so vital to us all—our own health, that of our loved ones, and those in our communities and across the nation. The current administration and the OMB chair, Russell Vought, orchestrated a federal funding freeze on NIH communications, placing thousands of governmental employees and investigators alike in a tailspin. And now, indirect costs of NIH-funded grants have been capped at 15%–substantially lower than average rate of about 50% needed to support the operations of universities and research centers. This move will paralyze investigators and their institutions.
Below is an excerpt from Project 2025, describing plans to curtail NIH research in the months to come.
Project 2025 suggests that Congress consider converting the National Institutes of Health’s grants budget into block grants provided to state governments. Grants comprise a large majority of NIH’s budget: the agency reported spending $34.9 billion of its total $47.7 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2023 on grant awards. The report also proposes instating term limits for top leaders at NIH. “Funding for scientific research should not be controlled by a small group of highly paid and unaccountable insiders at the NIH, many of whom stay in power for decades,” writes chapter author Roger Severino, director of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights under Trump’s first administration.
Clearly, these initial actions are harbingers of additional attempts by this administration to reduce funding streams, eliminate programs of research, cut jobs, and prevent the American people from accessing life-extending and saving care. It is critical that we act now. Please consider taking just 3 steps to contact your representatives and let them know how important it is to maintain, if not increase, funding levels for NIH.
The attached letter can be sent as is or you may edit as you see fit. Before you attach the letter to your representative, please replace the highlighted text with your information. Just below, we provide a template for the email you can send with the attachment. And this SHEET contains contact details of staffers working for YOUR representatives [for this purpose, please refrain from emailing legislators who are not your own]. Let us know if any questions or you need help. Thank you for ensuring your voice is heard!
SUBJECT LINE: Crucial Health and Economic Benefits of NIH Research
Dear STAFFER NAME,
As a constituent in STATE NAME, it’s clear how NIH funding serves our communities by supporting innovations that lead to better diagnostics, treatments, and prevention of a wide range of health problems. NIH also creates jobs, employing thousands of investigators and staff that directly benefit our state STATE NAME. [1-2 sentences about who you are, if you are NIH funded, employ X# people with that money, and the impact that cuts to NIH funding could have in your state/community].
Attached you will find a letter that details several concerns regarding NIH funding timelines and resources. We highlight examples of economic impacts as well as the potential to delay or even eliminate research on cancer and other common but serious disease states. I would very much welcome a brief meeting to share more about [if a researcher then say “how my funded research” or if a non-researcher, say “how NIH research] is essential to the lives of constituents in our. Please let me know when it would be convenient for you.
Thanks for your time,
YOUR NAME
If you can, follow-up with a phone call. Here is a suggested script: [5 min]
Good morning/afternoon. [SAY SOMETHING NICE, LIKE I HOPE YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES ARE DOING WELL!]. I just sent an email to STAFFER NAME, and I know how busy they are with crowded inboxes. I am a [professor/researcher/other] who studies __[IF THIS APPLIES] and I wanted to share how NIH research benefits constituents in STATE NAME. Can you please let them know I reached out? Thank you very much. Have a wonderful day!
Other supportive info:
- Link to the sheet referenced above: https://www.quorum.us/spreadsheet/external/rTGbveCnscgLhSKHVnLh/
- If someone agrees to meet: Anticipate meetings of about 15 minutes. Write down your main point. Talk about how your research saves lives, and benefits constituents and/or the economy.
- The templates do not explicitly reference your employer because universities and organizations vary policies that affect how you may affiliate. They are often cautious in how the organization namesake is represented in these spaces.
- NIH stats on the economy https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research/serving-society/direct-economic-contributions
- “Every state and almost every congressional district received a share of NIH investment. Each year, NIH awards over 60,000 grants that directly support more than 300,000 researchers at more than 2,500 different institutions. In fiscal year 2023, every $1 of NIH funding generated approximately $2.46 of economic activity”
Example state-based fact sheets on cancer research funding https://aaci-library.org/topics/state-funding-for-cancer-research