NIH Indirect Cost Rates and TRO

Dear UCI Research Community,

On February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a supplemental guidance notice (NOT-OD-25-068) that introduced a new standard indirect cost rate of 15% across all NIH grants. This change was intended to replace the previously negotiated rates and apply to both new and existing NIH awards.

However, on February 10, 2025, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in response to an Ex Parte Emergency Motion filed by several Plaintiff States, including the State of California. The TRO temporarily halts the implementation, application, and enforcement of the new standard indirect cost rate within the Plaintiff States. As a result, the previously negotiated indirect cost rates will remain in effect for the time being.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, please continue to use UCI’s federally negotiated indirect cost rates for your NIH grants.