Dear UCSF Community,

I am writing to provide an important update regarding a planned change the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on Friday, February 7, 2025. Two federal judges have since issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) against the NIH’s plan, which seeks to cut the funding the federal government provides to research institutions for facilities and administration (F&A) costs that support federally funded research. These TROs have put the NIH’s proposed F&A cut on hold until the judges’ further rulings following a hearing set for February 21.

It is important to understand how critical F&A is to UCSF’s research enterprise. Beyond covering the cost of building and maintaining the specialized infrastructure, labs, and tools needed for research, it also supports the people whose work is crucial to the success of our principal investigators and their teams. This includes our IT professionals, supply chain and maintenance teams, compliance professionals, and others whose work enables our research activities. To learn more, you can view this video, which was produced several years ago but remains useful.

UCSF’s research has led to profound advancements in the health sciences that have saved and improved innumerable lives, tackling some of the toughest and most heartbreaking health challenges, such as cancer, stroke, and dementia. Our drive for innovation not only propels scientific progress but also inspires a sense of possibility that extends beyond our immediate research goals. Over decades, research institutions, including UCSF, have helped the U.S. maintain its global leadership in scientific and medical fields. At home, our research collaborations and partnerships have created hundreds of new companies and thousands of jobs, fueling the growth of biotech, pharmaceutical, and related industry hubs nationwide.

As you are aware, the federal policy landscape is changing rapidly. We are continuing to work closely with the UC Office of the President and the other campuses and will provide updates as they develop. Thank you for your dedication and commitment, which mean more than ever to the success of our public mission.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor