On March 5, 2025, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from implementing drastic cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for research institutions.
The injunction prevents NIH from capping indirect cost rates at 15% for research grants, which would have significantly reduced funding to universities and research institutions.
This extends a temporary restraining order that was issued on February 10, shortly after NIH announced the funding cuts on February 7.
The judge ruled that the plaintiffs (22 states and various research/university associations) are likely to succeed on the merits of their case arguing the cuts are unlawful.
- Key reasons cited by the judge:
- The cuts likely violate existing regulations on how indirect cost rates are set
- The cuts appear to conflict with Congressional appropriations language
- NIH failed to follow proper administrative procedures in implementing the change
The cuts could cause "irreparable harm" to research programs and public health
The injunction will remain in effect while the lawsuits proceed, blocking NIH from implementing the funding cuts for now.
This preserves billions in research funding that universities and institutions rely on to support their research infrastructure and operations.
The Trump administration can appeal the ruling, but the injunction stays in place unless overturned by a higher court.