Update from March 6, 2025
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the current presidential administration from implementing a cap on indirect costs which would drastically reduce medical research funding that many scientists say will endanger patients and cost jobs. Separate lawsuits filed by a group of 22 states plus organizations representing universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide sued to stop the cuts, saying they would cause “irreparable harm.” The ruling means that the NIH’s action is halted until the judge renders a final decision in the case or the defendants successfully get a higher court to overturn the preliminary injunction, whichever comes first. The American Council on Education has more on the situation.
Update from Feb. 11, 2025
A federal district court judge in Boston has temporarily blocked the NIH cuts in 22 states, including Wisconsin, that earlier in the day sued to block the reductions.
Marquette University, as a Jesuit, Catholic university, is committed to the discovery of new knowledge, to applying research discoveries to improve the world around us, and, in all of our activities, to providing transformational experiences for our students. Federally funded research plays a critical role in supporting our mission, including creation of invaluable training opportunities for our students to be part of the community of scholars working on cutting edge research. Federally funded research is also the foundation for technology transfer and commercialization efforts that include economic development via start-up companies and technology licensing.
The proposed reduction in NIH indirect cost rates issued in NOT-OD-25-068 would seriously impact important health-focused research by reducing institutional resources for covering the necessary costs to ensure compliance, safety, maintain and develop facilities used for research, and provide other required administrative support of grants. We and our colleagues in other Wisconsin institutions would lose well beyond $60 million combined. This will cost Wisconsin jobs and hurt Wisconsin’s efforts to compete with researchers around the world. Marquette currently has $13.8 million in total active awards from NIH where the university is the prime awardee, making the NIH the university’s largest source of federal funding. Any reduction in this critical funding will make it difficult to deliver important research by Marquette faculty focused on improving human health outcomes. Examples of NIH-supported research at Marquette include projects that focus on multiple sclerosis rehabilitation to improve walking skills; more effective treatments for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders; improvements to stroke rehabilitation; understanding nerve regeneration in spinal cord injuries; determining mechanisms involved with RNA and the role in cancer and degenerative disorders; and improving physical interventions for chronic knee pain.
Feb. 10, 2025
Those involved in federal grants with the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation should be aware of recent updates related to executive orders. This information was shared with PIs by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
National Insititutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health released guidance on Friday, Feb. 7, regarding indirect cost rates for 2024 NIH grants. For any new grant issued and for all existing grants to Institutes of Higher Education retroactive to the date of issuance of the supplemental guidance, award recipients are subject to a 15% indirect cost rate. Marquette, along with other IHEs in Wisconsin, is working with Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s office to accurately describe the impact of this NIH change.
This policy will be applied to all current grants for go-forward expenses from Monday, Feb. 10, forward and for all new grants issued.
In addition, there may be changes coming to the No Cost Extension policy for the NIH. Marquette is currently not able to submit first no cost extensions via eRA Commons and will submit via e-mail.
Marquette currently has $13.8 million in awards from NIH where the university is the prime awardee.
While the NIH Table of Contents has not been sent via e-mail for the past several weeks, new notices can currently be found on the NIH website.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation website, which details the implementation of recent executive orders, has been updated. The NSF shared the following guidance:
Review panels will continue the week of Feb. 10.
As per the agency’s normal practice, program directors manage the review process. Panelists are expected to focus their discussions on evaluating the merit of the proposals under consideration. The review criteria remains consistent. Guidance on reviews and panel summaries has not changed. Program directors do not comment on activities outside of the purview of the panel. The reviews and panel summaries are advisory to NSF.
As has always been the practice at NSF, we will consider this advisory material in conjunction with agency-wide guidance and applicable federal standards when making funding decisions.
You should continue operating as usual, adhering to previously communicated deadlines and requirements for your active sponsored projects, pending proposals and new applications.
Be aware that guidance continues to change quickly. Other executive orders remain in effect, and Marquette will continue to watch for and communicate new developments.
The offices of General Counsel, Public Affairs, Research and Innovation, and Research and Sponsored Programs are monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates and guidance, as possible.
Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, vice president for research and innovation, is holding weekly office hours. Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to attend.
Any sponsor guidance/communication you receive regarding specific awards should be shared with Kathy Durben, executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
