Harvard researchers brace for impact as NIH threatens to cut crucial funding for shared labs, oversight
Harvard University researchers are on edge as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has threatened to cut substantial federal support for overhead costs, a move that could cripple critical research infrastructure. The NIH, which awarded the university over $488 million in grants in fiscal year 2024, currently provides Harvard with more than $135 million for indirect expenses. However, an order issued on February 7, 2025, proposed a drastic reduction in these funds, placing the future of many collaborative labs and regulatory bodies at risk.
The NIH’s directive, which has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, would have limited Harvard’s ability to charge indirect costs, reducing the amount from 69 cents to just 15 cents per dollar spent on research. If the cuts go into effect, the university’s research teams fear that they will lose essential resources, including shared laboratories, regulatory oversight, and the specialized equipment needed for groundbreaking medical studies. Harvard administrators have expressed concern over the potential widespread disruption, with Vice Provost for Research John H. Shaw acknowledging the uncertainty of the situation during a recent meeting with faculty.
The potential impact on Harvard’s research infrastructure
As reported by The Harvard Crimson, researchers across various departments at Harvard, including the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, have raised alarms over the impending cuts. Joan S. Brugge, a professor at Harvard Medical School, expressed concern that essential resources like the Countway Library and Harvard-wide data servers could be lost if the NIH’s proposal goes through. “If the indirect costs are cut dramatically, we would still have salary for research staff and funding for supplies, but the University would have to cut services that are essential to carry out the research,” Brugge said, according to The Harvard Crimson.
Specialized research facilities, like the Center for Nanoscale Systems, could also feel the strain. Richard M. Losick, a retired Harvard professor whose lab relied on NIH funding for decades, warned that animal labs used by researchers across the university would be particularly vulnerable. “We provide the equipment and the expertise for servicing research grants, and my biggest concern is to make sure that we do not lose any staff because of these cuts,” he said, as quoted by The Harvard Crimson.
How cuts could affect regulatory bodies and compliance teams
Beyond the loss of lab resources, the NIH’s proposed cuts also threaten to undermine Harvard’s compliance and oversight mechanisms. Indirect funding supports critical administrative bodies, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB), which ensures that research involving human subjects meets federal ethical standards. Without these funds, there is a real concern that research projects could be delayed or even suspended. Harvard Medical School professor Jeremy M. Wolfe emphasized, “If you start dismantling the system, it would become very difficult to apply for new grants that are required on a continuing basis to keep your work going,” as quoted by The Harvard Crimson.
The full extent of the NIH’s cuts is still uncertain, but Harvard researchers and administrators continue to brace for potential fallout. With so much at stake, faculty members are hoping for a resolution that preserves the university’s ability to conduct pioneering research and safeguard the integrity of its oversight systems.
