UNMC research town hall to feature important updates

Howard Fox, MD, PhD, and Ken Bayles, PhD

The UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research will hold a research town hall meeting Thursday, June 12, with important updates for the UNMC research community regarding the federal funding landscape.

The town hall will be held from 3-4 p.m. at the Durham Research Center auditorium (DRC 1 Room 1002). It also will be available via Zoom; UNMC faculty, students and staff are welcome and can access the discussion via this campus event listing.

UNMC’s Howard Fox, MD, PhD, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Fox is the senior associate dean of research and development in the UNMC College of Medicine and a professor in the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences.

Dr. Fox will discuss his role as one of four representatives of academic medical centers on a national joint association effort to develop a new indirect costs funding model with the federal government.

The working group, representing academic, medical and independent research institutions, is proposing changes to the current indirect cost model. The group’s recommendations will be presented to Congress as modifications to the National Institutes of Health budget and federal funding models for research are being considered.

Said Ken Bayles, PhD, UNMC’s vice chancellor for research: “We are fortunate to have Howard represent UNMC and the American Association of Medical Colleges on this panel tasked with re-envisioning a new indirect cost funding model to support academic research. It is an honor to be asked to participate in this discussion and it underscores the high standing and respect he has within the broader research community across the country. You won’t want to miss this town hall meeting.”

Read more about the Indirect Costs Subject Matter Experts Team from this April 2025 announcement.

Following that discussion, Dr. Bayles will explain changes that the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research will be making to prepare for a pullback in federal support. Dr. Bayles said the changes primarily involve funding of UNMC’s animal facilities and research core facilities.

Researchers are encouraged to submit questions in advance to this email address.

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