Chan Medical School Chancellor Addresses NIH Funding Cuts

WORCESTER, MA - The chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, Michael Collins, addressed the recent indirect costs rate cap on Sunday.

"There is a concerted effort underway by the Association of American Medical Colleges, Research!America and many universities and patient advocacy groups to stop this harmful decision," Collins said in a news release.

The response is directed at the National Institutes of Health's decision to impose a 15% cap on indirect costs on all new and existing grants. It will take effect Feb. 10, and will significantly impact Chan's research. While it's currently unclear how the new policy will be implemented, the 15% is approximately one-quarter of the indirect cost rate the medical school receives.

Collins said he took a call with roughly 200 medical school leaders to discuss the impact and begin planning advocacy efforts.

"Be assured that we are doing all that we can to protect our most vital and valuable public research mission," Collins said.