SAEM's Commitment to Protecting Emergency Care Research

Dear SAEM Members,

As the leading organization dedicated to academic emergency medicine, SAEM remains steadfast in advocating for policies that support and strengthen research in our field. On Friday, February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a policy change to cap Facilities and administrative costs for NIH-funded research at 15%. This change could have significant implications for the future of emergency care research and could threaten the infrastructure that allows institutions to sustain high-quality investigations in acute care and emergency medicine.

We recognize the essential role that indirect costs play in supporting biomedical research. These funds are critical for reimbursing costs for research facilities, covering administrative support, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Limiting indirect expenses could strain institutions and researchers who rely on them to advance groundbreaking discoveries that improve emergency care for all Americans.

SAEM is actively monitoring this situation and is committed to working for our members and the essential research we conduct. We have formally expressed our concerns in a letter to the NIH, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate funding structures to support the crucial research that underpins the practice of emergency medicine. Our message is clear: sustainable research funding is vital to preserving and advancing the high-quality, life-saving care that emergency departments provide nationwide.

We want to assure our members that SAEM is listening. We understand that this decision raises concerns about the future of emergency care research, and we are working diligently to ensure that the voices of our researchers are heard at the highest levels. We will continue to engage with the NIH and other key stakeholders to discuss policies that uphold the integrity and sustainability of emergency care research.

As we move forward, we encourage our members to remain engaged and share their perspectives with me at president@saem.org. Your insights and experiences are invaluable as we navigate this challenge together. We will provide updates as more information becomes available and will keep you informed about any opportunities to participate in advocacy efforts.

Thank you for your dedication to academic emergency medicine and for being a part of the SAEM community. Together, we will continue to champion the research that ensures the best possible care for our patients and strengthens the future of emergency medicine.

Sincerely,

Ali S. Raja, MD, DBA, MPH
SAEM President, on behalf of the SAEM Board of Directors