“It is a misnomer to call these funds indirect costs. They are essential to the safe and ethical performance of research. The environment in which research is conducted is highly specialized and costly.” 🧪 Great editorial by @holdenthorp.bsky.social in @science.org - ThreadSky

kakape.bsky.social • 11 days ago

“It is a misnomer to call these funds indirect costs. They are essential to the safe and ethical performance of research. The environment in which research is conducted is highly specialized and costly.” 🧪
Great editorial by @holdenthorp.bsky.social in @science.org

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iainwilsonwien.bsky.social•11 days ago

There is probably a need for more transparency. It can be that old scandals are remembered (see https://www.gao.gov/assets/t-rced-91-18.pdf from 1991). So it means explaining what indirect costs are for. EU grants come with 25% overheads, not 69%. Austrian FWF grants get 0%, although uni‘s get some bonus from govt.

iainwilsonwien.bsky.social•11 days ago

If the argument is that research, and not overbloated bureaucracy, will suffer, then the question is what is a direct cost. For years I had to charge my group for access to the mass spec (now in a core facility) in order to cover the service contract - in the US is that a direct or indirect cost?

myaryar.bsky.social•11 days ago

Core facility charges are direct costs, but maintaining the mass spec would be an indirect cost. The electricity powering the mass spec and the AC keeping it from overheating are also indirect costs.

kakape.bsky.social•11 days ago

“The government’s share is not a give-away. Rather, it is an investment in the research infrastructure of the country. That partnership is now being broken and will lead to a further erosion in American leadership in science and technology at the very time it is needed most to compete worldwide.”

kakape.bsky.social•11 days ago

“Either way, these cuts to federal funding threaten to cause enormous economic damage as well, especially in the states where these universities are located. In many states, including Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Missouri, an academic medical research center is the largest employer.”

rolfmarschalek.bsky.social•11 days ago

Dear Kai…the problem is that US people voted for him - although they knew that he will destroy the american society. What did you expect to happen… it was obvious… and this is only the starting point. You need to destroy everything of truth to become a dictator

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