A new proposal to cut down on medical research costs could lead to less medical research

Less funding could lead to less
medical research. (CDC photo)

The Trump Administration proposed to reduce the size of medical research grants conducted by institutions, including hospitals and state universities.

If it goes through, indirect medical research funds would be reduced to a set 15%. However, the proposal has been “put on hold by a federal court,” according to an article by Emily Badger, Aatish Bhatia, Irineo Cabreros, Eli Murray, Francesca Paris, Margot Sanger-Katz and Ethan Singer at The New York Times.

The Times reported that in 2024, $32 billion was spent on medical research, with $23 billion having gone toward direct costs and the remaining $9 billion toward indirect costs. These indirect costs include laboratory upkeep, access to hazardous materials disposal, utility bills and administrative staff. The term itself isn’t very descriptive, but recipients say the costs are necessary for research operations.

A set 15% for the indirect costs would reduce overall funding by $4 billion to $5 billion a year according to the Times. The Times reports, “The White House said the savings would be reinvested in more research, but the rate cuts would open up sizable budget holes in most projects at research institutions.”

Heather Pierce, senior director for science policy at the Association of American Medical Colleges, told the Times, “‘A slash this drastic in total research funding slows research’… And slower scientific progress, she said, would affect anyone who depends on the development of new treatments, medical interventions and diagnostic tools.”