“Lives will be lost,” according to one Virginia university, that is deeply concerned about the cost-cutting measures by Donald Trump on research being conducted throughout the nation.
On Friday, the National Institutes of Health announced it will put a cap of 15 percent on facilities and administrative, or F&A costs, significantly less that the previous negotiated rate.
In response, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands sent a letter to the community on Monday saying the decision could negatively affect the university to the tune of millions of dollars.
“The NIH decision could have a $13 million impact on Virginia Tech’s annual research budget and would have a debilitating effect on the ability of research universities to carry out their mission,” Sands wrote. “Lives will be lost due to the corresponding reduction in the pace of biomedical research.
“It will degrade the nation’s ability to compete in a global technology environment, threaten our national security and impact the economies of the states and localities that host these institutions.”
Sands said that if the reimbursement reduction is extended to all federal agencies, the negative impact on Tech would be more than $55 million annually.
A federal district court temporarily blocked the action to all 50 states.
While the university has agreed to comply with applicable laws and executive orders, Sands said Virginia Tech is reaching out to legislators for assistance.
“We are following the situation closely and reaching out to our congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., to express our deep concern about this decision and its potential effect on our university and our nation’s long-term viability as a science and technology leader.”
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Crystal Graham
