New Haven joined other “eds and meds” cities across the country in seeking to stop a planned cut in federal medical research grants that help power the local economy.
New Haven took that step on Thursday when it joined 45 cities and local officials in signing an amicus brief in a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping a Trump Administration decision that threatens millions of dollars in reimbursements for medical research that takes place in university labs like those at Yale School of Medicine and at hospitals like Yale New Haven.
The Feb. 7 decision by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) immediately caps at 15 percent — down from up to 70 percent — reimbursement for indirect costs for medical research grants. Nationwide, that would put an estimated billions of dollars in biomedical research at risk.
Twenty-two states and research-related associations filed suit in federal court in Boston on Feb. 10 seeking to halt the carrying out of the decision. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley Friday extended a temporary restraining order pending a ruling in the case.
“New Haven stands with our fellow cities across the country in seeking to stop this illegal, irresponsible, and reckless action by the Trump Administration,” Mayor Justin Elicker is quoted as stating in a release Friday afternoon about the city’s decision to sign on to the amicus brief (which you can read here).
“New Haven is one the nation’s leading hubs for medical and scientific research. From bioscience to life science to quantum, these industries represent thousands of local jobs and millions of dollars to our local economy. But, more importantly, this funding is supporting cutting-edge, lifesaving work that is identifying new medical treatments, curing chronic diseases, and advancing scientific discoveries that improve the everyday lives and wellbeing of our residents.”
Yale University submitted a “declaration of support” as well, listing how the research grants at stake create jobs and support important work and innovation.
This federal government website lists Yale as having been awarded 1201 grants totaling $645,860,184 in 2024.