February 9, 2025

Dear Members of the HMS Community:

I am writing to add my voice and support to the message sent earlier today from Harvard President Alan Garber regarding the recently issued NIH policy guidance announcing a cap on the funding of indirect costs on federal grants. Since the announcement Friday evening, I have been communicating with fellow leaders of the University, our affiliated hospitals, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and, most importantly, with our HMS preclinical department chairs.

I am keenly aware of how much this uncertainty is weighing on all members of our research community. The work we do at the bench, at the bedside of patients and their families, in the classroom, and in our communities is vital to our nation’s health and the foundation of our dynamic biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. Our partnership with the federal government and the tremendous support we and our peer institutions receive has elevated U.S. biomedical science to its well-deserved preeminence.

We will continue to advocate for our good work and for the critical role we play. We will be sure to keep you updated on new developments, guidance, and response efforts. In the meantime, I want to remind and encourage you to take advantage of the well-being resources available to members of the Harvard community.

In these challenging times, I am feeling reassurance and comradeship from members of this community. I encourage you to share your thoughts with colleagues, with mentors, and with me. Keeping our community strong is my top priority.

Sincerely,

George Q. Daley
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Harvard University