Dear Rice community,
I am writing to inform you that Monday evening, Rice joined 70 other research universities who are members of the Association of American Universities to challenge an attempt by the National Institutes of Health to immediately cut billions of dollars in life-saving research funds from all its grantees, including Rice and other leading universities and medical institutions.
Rice is not an individual plaintiff in this lawsuit. But on behalf of the Rice community and health researchers nationwide, we provided sworn testimony to include in the AAU lawsuit. It explains the impact these cuts will have on Rice. Fortunately, late last night, a federal judge in Boston signed an order that agreed with the challenges brought by the AAU, the Association of American Medical Colleges and other health research organizations. Therefore, until at least Feb. 21, the NIH’s plans to cut this funding have been paused by court order.
The NIH’s announcement would have lowered a grant-receiving institution’s “indirect cost rate” to 15%. Rice’s current federally negotiated indirect cost rate is 56% and applies to most federal grants the university receives. Indirect costs are critical to federal research: They help defray essential expenses such as scientific equipment and technology, lab and office space, salaries and supplies, and even specialized ventilation and air-conditioning for labs, that are so critical to Rice’s successful research on potential treatments for cancer, diabetes, dementia and a host of other serious health care challenges.
Rice’s leadership is continuing to assess the implications of this potential change and is exploring additional solutions in collaboration with impacted research universities and organizations. In fact, Rice is one of several leading Texas institutions, such as the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, UT Austin, Texas A&M, UTMB and Houston Methodist, that are being hit, with the teaching and research hospitals taking the biggest brunt. Throughout this challenge, we will provide frequent updates and guidance through our Office of Research website, which you may visit at https://research.rice.edu/opd/
We recognize that the changing guidance from the government on a variety of social and political issues is raising important questions on topics and concerns for the Rice community. We have been directly communicating with faculty, staff and students who may be affected by this order and others. As new developments emerge, we are attentive to their potential impact on different aspects of our mission and our culture of care and will continue reaching out frequently to those affected.
Research and scholarship are central to Rice’s mission and essential to the nation’s progress, competitiveness and well-being. Many of our NIH grants are tied to vital research to address diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Teams across the university are always closely following federal developments, analyzing implications and advocating for the critical work we do. As president, this is something I take very seriously.
Last week, I had a productive trip to Capitol Hill, meeting with members of Congress who represent or have relationships with Rice. These conversations highlight Rice’s commitment to and leadership in research, innovation and education and ensure we continue to make a meaningful impact at national and global levels. I am in Austin this week doing the same at the state level. By fostering dialogue with policymakers — especially during this time — Rice strengthens its ability to advance critical initiatives, drive groundbreaking research, and expand opportunities for students and faculty. We appreciate the ongoing state and national partnerships that help move Rice’s mission forward.
We will keep you updated as the federal landscape evolves and encourage you to stay engaged with our mission and values during this period of transition. Your commitment to excellence in teaching, research and community engagement remains as important as ever. Our dedication to academic freedom — and to supporting every member of the Rice community — remains unwavering.
Sincerely,
President Reginald DesRoches