AAE Opposes NIH’s Indirect Funding Cap on Medical Research  

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) sent a letter of opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) over a recent decision to cap indirect costs for medical research grants at fifteen percent. This policy, which limits funding for essential operational expenses, has raised alarm among research institutions and dental schools that rely on these funds to support vital research and infrastructure. 

For decades, the NIH—through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)—has provided crucial support for research in dental, oral, and craniofacial health. Since its inception in 1948, NIDCR funding has been instrumental in advancing innovations such as improved oral cancer detection, enhanced dental materials, and better management of congenital anomalies and oral trauma. 

Key concerns regarding policy change include: 

• Support for Research Infrastructure: Indirect costs are used to cover essential expenses including utilities, rent, maintenance, and the support of administrative and technical staff. These funds are critical for sustaining the research environments where groundbreaking discoveries are made. 

• Impact on Scientific Innovation: Limiting indirect cost recovery may constrain the ability of institutions to support ongoing and future research projects, potentially slowing progress in oral health and other areas of biomedical science. 

The AAE’s stance reflects a broader concern that this cap represents an arbitrary decision, one that might undermine the established funding structure designed by Congress to support research excellence. The potential disruption in research continuity is worrisome, as many AAE members depend on this research funding annually.