On February 7, the NIH announced that it would cap facilities and administration costs (aka F&A or indirects) on new and existing NIH grants at 15%, well below current levels.
F&A costs are crucial for conducting top-tier research safely and efficiently, covering expenses that are not easily assigned to specific projects. These costs include maintaining advanced research labs, ensuring data security, complying with safety protocols, and supporting essential administrative and regulatory functions.
On February 10, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to pause the implementation of this new policy pending a Feb. 21 hearing. The ruling applies to the suits filed by the Attorneys General from 22 states and by the AAMC.
We expect additional developments around the NIH's decision and will post updates for our community on this page. If you are a researcher at Dartmouth and have any questions regarding the impact on specific grants, please reach out to the Office of Sponsored Projects (sponsored.projects@dartmouth.edu).
UPDATE: On February 21, a federal judge extended their order to pause implementation of the new NIH guidance capping indirect cost payments at 15%. The pause will remain in effect until the judge can issue a ruling on a broader injunction (read more: STATNEWS, Boston Globe).
UPDATE 3/5/25: On Wednesday, March 5, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston issued a nationwide injunction barring the NIH from implementing its planned 15% cap on F&A costs. (read more: Reuters, New York Times).
Updates from Geisel:
Updates from Dartmouth and Partners:
- Statement of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder on Cuts to NIH Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Research Costs
- AAMC Statement on Drastic Cuts to NIH-Funded Research
- AAMC Lawsuit Results in Nationwide Temporary Restraining Order on Proposed Drastic Cuts to NIH Funding
- ASPPH Statement on Cuts to Federal Research Grants Facilities and Administrative Costs
- Dartmouth OSP Federal Grant News 2025 - Updates
Facts About Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs:
- Facilities & Administrative Costs Information (source: AAMC)
- Cost of Federally Sponsored Research (source: AAMC/COGR)
- Fact Sheet on Facilities & Administrative Costs of Research (source: AAMC/COGR)
- Cost of Research FAQ (AAMC/COGR)
- Breaking Down the Costs of Federal Research at Universities (source: AAMC/COGR)
- F&A Cost Materials and Information (COGR)
Geisel: A history of lifesaving discoveries:
- Groundwork for the COVID-19 vaccine laid here at Geisel. 1 million+ life years attributed to the COVID-19 vaccine development (read more)
- Dartmouth is a pioneering the development of cancer immunotherapy treatments. 400,000 life years attributed to cancer immunotherapy (read more)
- The first clinical X-ray in America performed to diagnose a broken arm.
- Nation’s first multispecialty intensive care unit (ICU)
- The first comprehensive examination of variations in health care costs in US medical practice (The Dartmouth Atlas)
- The groundbreaking national model, Supported Employment, which improves outcomes for those with serious mental illness
- The first use of the stethoscope in medical education--introduced by the Geisel School poet-physician faculty member, Oliver Wendell Holmes
- Transforming work in global health, including leading development of a TB vaccine in Tanzania, and creating a new system for educating physicians in Rwanda
- The Brattleboro rat, a laboratory model for diabetes insipidus, discovered
- International Dartmouth-led clinical trial demonstrates successful cervical cancer vaccine
- Landmark Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) first determines that patients with severe back pain improve with and without surgery
- Read more medical milestones....