On Jan. 27 President Donald Trump’s administration enacted a temporary freeze on federal grants and loans that left many questioning how it would affect research.

According to the University of Kentucky Research’s website, UK ranks 61 out of 637 public and private research universities in funds spent on research and is one of Kentucky’s largest research institutions.

In 2024, UK received $488.4 million in total grants and contracts, which includes state, industry and non-profit funds. Federal grants and contracts make up $264.4 million of the total funds. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave UK $163.1 million, according to UK Research’s website.

The federal funding halt would eliminate more than half of UK Research’s total funds, leaving just $224 million for research and development, according to UK Research.

According to the NIH, the agency is the largest funder of medical research in the United States. 

Funds from the NIH go toward research covering a range of medical conditions including cancer and heart disease, both of which are leading causes of death in Kentucky, according to the CDC.

On Feb. 7, according to an article from the University of Kentucky’s Office of the President, the NIH announced that indirect costs in current and future contracts will be capped at 15%. Without the money for indirect costs, the university will have to pay out of pocket, according to the article.

Indirect funds are a portion of the total money awarded that goes toward researchers, equipment and facilities with regular rates between 20-54% and higher depending on the research, according to an email sent by UK President Eli Capilouto on Feb. 10. 

The 15% cap on indirect costs would lose UK Research at least $40 million a year. This could reduce the number of research projects UK Research takes on and slow the development of medical issues, Capilouto said in the email.

 “We will, as I have communicated before, comply with all federal and state laws and policies. That is our responsibility. At the same time, we will forcefully advocate for what we do and our vital mission to advance this state,” Capilouto said.

The Kernel reached out to the UK Research offices but did not get a response.

According to the email, UK and their government relations team are currently working with legislators to oppose the cap and communicate how important medical research is to Kentucky.

According to an article by the Lexington Herald-Leader, the cap was blocked by a federal judge following a lawsuit from 22 state attorney generals, including the office of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

The lawsuit currently blocks the funding halt from occurring, however, the judge has found that the Trump administration has not followed his order to unfreeze funding and warns of consequences for those involved, according to the Associated Press.

“Finally, we will do as we have always done. We will remain focused on our work. We will remain committed to telling our powerful and compelling story — a story about what we do to heal and help this state,” Capilouto said. “That was our mission at our founding 160 years ago. It is our mission today. It will be our mission moving forward.”