The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a plan to limit indirect costs funding to 15% for all existing and new grants. This decision could significantly affect the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), with an estimated $47 million reduction in NIH Facilities and Administration funding based on their current grant portfolio.
Indirect costs, which are essential for supporting campus infrastructure such as lab operations, security, information technology, research equipment, and core facilities, would be impacted by these cuts. UIC officials urge investigators to visit the Office of the Vice Chancellor webpage for guidance on spending, unobligated balances, and no-cost extensions. They also request that any communication from sponsors be shared with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research via NotifyOSP@uic.edu.
UIC's biomedical research has been instrumental in developing new therapeutics like a novel antibiotic against drug-resistant bacteria and a redesigned drug for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The university has also created a new screening method for early detection of ovarian tumors and developed a vaccine for lymphatic filariasis.
University leadership is actively collaborating with their national network to seek clarity on this matter and potentially engage in legal actions led by the UI System Office of the General Counsel. "Make no mistake, we are facing hard challenges — but hard challenges are easier to take on when we navigate them together," stated Marie Lynn Miranda, PhD, Chancellor, along with Karen Colley, PhD, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.