Discoveries at Fred Hutch have been key to saving more than a million lives worldwide.
Our research spans both cancer and infectious diseases and includes disease detection, new treatments, potential cures and prevention.
At Fred Hutch, 70% of our research funding comes from federal grants, which are awarded based on scientific merit. This level of federal funding is a direct reflection of our proven ability to make landmark breakthroughs and our trusted ability to lead large scientific collaborations.
Understanding Direct and Indirect Costs
Direct Costs are expenses directly associated with a specific research project, including lab supplies, equipment, and project-related researcher salaries.
Indirect costs refer to the shared infrastructure, technologies, and operational activities that enable research projects to occur.
Fred Hutch currently has more than 1,300 active research projects. Sharing the cost of commonly-used services and equipment allows more research to be done at less cost. These shared resources are classified as indirect costs.
Together, direct and indirect costs represent the true cost of research.
Common Misconceptions About Federal Funding of Indirect Costs
While indirect costs are sometimes called ‘overhead’ or ‘administrative’ costs, these terms can be misleading. Indirect funds support the advanced technologies, special facilities and other infrastructure essential to conducting leading-edge research.
In the same way a highway system allows individual cars to function more effectively, shared infrastructure helps individual research projects reach their goal faster — and more affordably.
How Cuts to Federal 'Indirect' Funds Will Impact Patients
Fred Hutch and our fellow cancer centers are at a critical moment in developing cures for cancer and other diseases. Recent advances have allowed more significant progress in cancer research than in the past fifty years. Cutting federal research funds from Fred Hutch and other world-class research institutions would mean abandoning much of this progress.
Strong levels of indirect funding allow us to cover more of the true costs of research. This means patients have access to more clinical trials, more precision medicine, more genetic sequencing and more data science innovation – each offering patients the hope for a life beyond cancer.
Essential Indirect Costs for Scientific Progress
Data Storage & Processing
Secure data storage, telecommunications, internet and high-speed data processing
Shared Research Equipment
Advanced research equipment and expertise shared by hundreds of Fred Hutch labs
Regulatory Compliance & Safety Standards
Compliance with federal, state and local regulations, including human and animal safety boards
Hazardous Material Safety
Radiation and chemical safety, including safety training and hazardous waste disposal
Lab Infrastructure
Rigorous, research-grade filtration, ventilation, heat, air conditioning, water and lighting for labs and offices
Scientific Resources
Journal subscriptions, library facilities and support services