My understanding is not the fact that indirect costs are charged, but rather the amounts given and what they are used for that is the issue. As an example, my spouse worked at a Big 10 institution research lab in the 1990s. At that time indirect costs given where 15% standard on any federal government grant given. Now it seems most institutions have been allowed to negotiate much higher indirect costs. I don’t know what they all are, but I do know that at the University one of my kids attended, they are now 60%! At a top school a family friend is attending for their PhD, the amount is even higher. This has allowed this person to travel extensively/ eat at top restaurants/ stay at top of the line hotels in a way that is making them feel more than a bit icky.
The point being is, I agree the basis of these cuts is about the excessive indirect cost, not for the research itself.
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