Sarasota, Fla. (WFLA) – For more than 20 years, the Sarasota-based biomedical research facility, Roskamp Institute, focuses on understanding and discovering the treatment, prevention, and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. With the illnesses facing veterans.
CEO Fiona Crawford said most of the work at the institute is funded through medical research grants.
Owner of Bradenton Cabinet Business convicted of embezzlement over $310K with customer money
“The threat of this massive reduction to NIH indirect costs is truly shocking,” Crawford said.
Earlier this month, the National Institutes of Health or NIH announced a cut in grants to save $4 billion a year. This includes grants for indirect costs being limited to 15% overhead and administrative costs.
NIH handed over a $34 billion grant in 2023. Hill reports some institutions that have been asked to cover an average of 30% of university overhead costs and 60%.
“I think there’s a big misconception about indirect costs because the names alone make these costs sound like they’re not essential,” Crawford said.
According to Crawford, the funds will be spent on maintaining high-tech labs and equipment, leaving support staff out and slowing down findings that could potentially save lives on treatments and treatments.
“[They]will help submit grants, manage finances, and assist scientists who issue supplies orders,” Crawford said.
The judge put the cuts on hold in 22 states, not including Florida, who sued the Trump administration. However, the next questions from other states still remain.
“Everyone is in the frontier now, waiting to know what’s going to happen,” Crawford said.
There will be a court hearing scheduled for Friday for oral discussions regarding planned cuts in medical research.
Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley supports the planned cut.
“That’s pretty reasonable. If you need to spend more than 15% on your administrator and phone line, then you want to know why. The money you get for health research is spent on health research It should,” Holy said.
A spokesman for US Congressman Vern Buchanan sent a statement.
“As chairman of the Ways and Means Health subcommittee, Rep. Buchanan is working to support research that supports healthcare advances and healthcare breakthroughs. He has provided funding for critical research. Although they oppose efforts to reduce the number, the NIH directive aims to increase research efforts and redirect funds to reduce management bloats and red tape. Lawmakers are important at local universities and research centers. I look forward to continuing research.”
