It is important to keep in mind that reimbursement of legitimate indirect costs is a necessary part of biomedical research. Indeed, the funding of indirect costs has made its own unique contribution to progress against disease. Those of us who work in research institutions could no more get along without electricity, hazardous waste disposal, and working space than we could get along without test tubes, Bunsen burners, fume hoods, and reagents.
This is not to say that reforms in how indirect costs are computed and paid are unnecessary. For example, Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, for all its length and complexity, is subject to considerable negotiation, and needs clarification. But we must be careful not to tighten up the system to the point at which the conduct of research is harmed.
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) proposes that Congress, before doing anything develop answers ...
