Trump istration to cut billions from biomedical research funding

President Donald Trump's istration has announced it will slash billions of dollars from overheads in grants for biomedical research as a part of broader cost-saving measures, a move some scientists say will stifle scientific advancements.

In a statement on Friday, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said it would cut grants for "indirect costs" related to research - such as buildings, utilities and equipment.

"The United States should have the best medical research in the world," NIH said in its announcement. "It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than istrative overhead."

The agency estimated that the cuts - which go into effect on Monday - would save $4bn (£3.2bn).

The NIH said on Friday that it would cap the rates grants pay for indirect research costs at 15 percent, half of the current average rate of 30 percent.

Elon Musk - the leader of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), an unofficial cost-cutting group that Trump has given leeway to slash government spending - has claimed some universities were spending above that 30 percent.

"Can you believe that universities with tens of billions in endowments were siphoning off 60% of research award money for 'overhead'":[]}