University of Florida faces medical research cuts due to Trump administration policy changes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Leaders at the University of Florida are bracing for tens of millions of dollars in possible funding cuts to medical research due to policy changes made by President Donald Trump’s administration.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued an order to cap all indirect costs of research grants at 15 percent on Feb. 7. Indirect costs include laboratory upkeep, utility bills, and administrators.

According to an estimate by the New York Times, UF received $254 million in grants from the NIH in 2024. Caping indirect costs at 15 percent would have resulted in the university receiving an estimated $45 million less in grant money that year.

After the announcement from the NIH, the university sent out a memo to staff about the “potential for significant impacts on the University of Florida.”

Just one day later, David Norton, UF’s vice president for research, sent an update that the NIH policy change was on hold.

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the agency from changing the way medical grants are issued until a lawsuit filed by 22 states is resolved.

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Trump administration officials argue a reduction in indirect costs would result in more money available to fund the direct costs of grants. Direct costs include researcher salaries and materials directly related to the research.

They note prominent nonprofits that issue medical research grants cap indirect costs between 10 and 15 percent.

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