As ASPPH continues to advocate on behalf of the nation’s public health, we are pleased to report some good news for the academic institutions we represent and higher education in general. Earlier this week, Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in the case ASPPH joined with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), blocking the implementation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement on Indirect Cost (IDC) rates.

In granting the injunction, the court rejected NIH’s jurisdictional arguments and found that the plaintiffs demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on the merits of the case. The ruling also affirmed that the harms presented—ranging from disruptions to ongoing research and patient health to impacts on facilities and human capital—were irreparable. Importantly, the court referenced the nationwide scope of association plaintiffs as a basis for granting broad relief.

This decision means that NIH cannot enforce the IDC rate changes at this time. While this is a significant victory, our work must continue. The NIH is likely to appeal this ruling and ASPPH will provide further analysis as more details emerge.