Duke University is facing significant challenges as federal funding cuts to research grants pose a major threat to its academic pursuits. The university, which relies heavily on National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in support.
A recent court challenge has temporarily halted the implementation of Trump administration cuts, but universities nationwide have already begun taking measures to mitigate the impact. Hiring freezes, scaled-back research projects, and contingency plans are being put into place across the country.
The proposed rate cap on indirect costs – expenses such as utilities and laboratory maintenance – would significantly reduce the university’s ability to fund its research activities. Currently, Duke receives 61% of its direct funding from the federal government, but the new cap would reduce this amount to just 15%.
For scientists like pharmacology and cancer biology professor Donald McDonnell, the uncertainty surrounding NIH grants is causing significant concern. His laboratory has received up to $40 million in NIH funding over the past three decades, which would be significantly reduced if indirect costs are capped at 15%. The lab’s ability to maintain equipment and support research projects would be severely impacted.
Other researchers and administrators at Duke also express concerns about the potential loss of federal funding. Geeta Swamy, executive vice dean of the School of Medicine, notes that while private funders provide significant support, they cannot replace the substantial contributions made by federal dollars.
The impact on graduate students is also being felt. With funding for new grants slowed to a trickle and NIH grant application review meetings halted, the university’s medical school has scaled back its Ph.D. student admissions, leaving many in limbo about their future research prospects.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-cuts-research-funding-nih-duke-7f24b33bbad54490583520536ab40e0c