02-25-2025, 01:14 PM
Freezing grants is stupid. However, I do partially agree that the overhead has become problematic. I have been on both sides of funding, both as a grantee and a grantor. The indirect costs demanded by some institutions are ridiculous (60%-70%), while others are more reasonable 15%-20%. They can actually be negotiated down in some cases, but not if the grantor is federal government. But trying to fix this does not mean that the grant reviews, awards, and payments need to stop altogether. It is bringing an axe where a scalpel would do the job.