Joint Associations Group Thanks Congress for Strong Support of Scientific Research Funding and Infrastructure in Final FY26 Appropriations

• Press Release

The following is a joint statement from the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs, which includes:  Association of American Universities (AAU), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), AAMC, American Council on Education (ACE), Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI), COGR, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), Science Philanthropy Alliance (SPA), and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO).

"JAG is deeply appreciative of Congress and its appropriations leaders for including strong support for research funding, including support for the facilities and administrative (F&A) costs essential to conducting research on behalf of the American people, in the final FY26 appropriations legislation.

In particular, our organizations are thankful that the bills included language that will help us work with Congress and with the executive branch to advance the JAG's Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model recommendations this year.

The federal government reimburses universities and other research institutions for these F&A (also known as indirect) costs so they have the resources and support to drive breakthroughs in science, technology, and medicine. Indirect costs support essential infrastructure and other necessary costs associated with conducting research, including cutting-edge facilities, utilities, security, and compliance with federal regulations.

The federal government funds these essential costs because the resulting research discoveries lead to new cures and medical treatments, enhance our national security, keep our nation globally competitive and economically strong, and improve the lives of all Americans. While the current system for funding these costs has served America's research objectives for decades, the JAG developed the FAIR model in an effort to be even more transparent about research costs and be responsive to members of Congress who fund this critical research. The JAG presented the FAIR model after months of study and deliberation and after soliciting feedback from thousands across the nation's research community. The FAIR model is a recommendation for a new way of transparently and accurately covering these essential research costs.

We thank Congress - and particularly the leadership and appropriators in each chamber - for ensuring continued support for all the costs associated with advancing American science, and for continuing to engage with the JAG on the FAIR model."