ASPPH Joins Lawsuit to Block NIH Facilities and Administrative Cost Cap

February 12, 2025

On Monday night, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), alongside the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), joined a lawsuit to block the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s new policy to cap Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost reimbursements at 15% for federally funded research grants. This abrupt policy change threatens the sustainability of public health research and undermines universities’ ability to conduct lifesaving work. The lawsuit led to a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a federal judge, halting the cap while legal proceedings continue.

This ruling follows an earlier lawsuit filed by 22 State Attorneys General, which initially secured a TRO covering only those states. By joining AAMC’s legal action, ASPPH helped expand the order to apply nationwide.

While this ruling is an important step, it is only temporary. ASPPH continues to advocate for a permanent reversal of this policy to ensure sustained funding for essential research facilities and administrative costs.

Over the weekend, ASPPH also issued a public statement urging the NIH to reconsider its decision and calling on Congress to act swiftly to protect public health research. F&A costs are critical to maintaining research infrastructure, supporting laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and the essential resources that enable groundbreaking discoveries. Without full funding, institutions may be forced to scale back projects, including closing research labs and cutting essential jobs, jeopardizing progress in disease prevention, vaccine development, and chronic disease management. Reductions in F&A funding could also negatively impact local economies and contribute to increased unemployment.

ASPPH is dedicated to championing policies that safeguard and advance public health research. We remain steadfast in our efforts to promote sustainable solutions that empower our members and the wider academic public health community in their mission to protect and enhance the well-being of all Americans.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

ASPPH Statement on Cuts to Federal Research Grants Facilities and Administrative Costs

February 9, 2025 

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) expresses grave concern over the recent reduction in federal research grants’ Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, as announced in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) memo last week. Effective immediately, all grants will cap F&A costs at 15%.

ASPPH Statement on the Removal of Critical CDC Data Sets and the Suspension of Scientific Publications

February 3, 2025

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is deeply alarmed by the recent removal of critical data sets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. These vital resources, now replaced with a “Page Not Found or Temporarily Unavailable” message, are essential for academic research and frontline public health interventions.