Latest from the White House (May 27)

COSSA continues to follow the flurry of executive actions taken by the Trump Administration and the impact those actions are having on the social and behavioral science community. Below are some of the latest developments coming out of the White House. Past updates are available here.

DOD Announces 15% Indirect Cost Cap

Earlier this month, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced that it will immediately begin imposing a flat 15 percent indirect cost rate on research sponsored by the department. According to the memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that the cap will not be limited to new grants, but that existing awards made to universities may also be revisited.

DOD is the fourth federal agency to impose a 15 percent cap on indirect costs rates, following actions taken at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Energy, and National Science Foundation. A federal judge struck down the NIH policy in April and temporary restraining orders were issued in response to the Department of Energy and NSF caps. Higher education groups filing suit in the first three cases are expected to sue in response to the DOD policy change.

COGR, a national organization representing the federal policy and regulatory interests of academic research institutions, maintains a collection of resources on its website pertaining to indirect costs.