U.S. investments in science lead to cures, transformative technologies, and new industries that save lives and improve Americans’ health, create new jobs, and protect national security.

The Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs of research – also referred to as the “indirect costs” of research – are essential to conducting world-class research effectively, efficiently, safely, and securely. Federal agencies reimburse institutions for the F&A costs they incur to support research overall; these are expenses that are difficult to attribute to specific research projects on an individual basis (e.g., libraries, physical lab operation and maintenance, utility costs, security, and other similar needs). Without support of F&A costs, research labs would literally go dark. Any reduction to reimbursements of the F&A costs of federal research would hinder scientific progress and jeopardize America's innovation leadership in a highly competitive global landscape.

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