The US agency overseeing medical research has announced a major cut in funding to universities and research centers, a move strongly condemned by scientists and academics who say work on cancer and other diseases will suffer.
It said it was "vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go toward direct scientific research costs."
The cut could affect research on diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, scientists said.
"This is a surefire way to cripple lifesaving research and innovation," Matt Owens, president of COGR, which represents research institutes and university medical centers, said in a statement to AFP.
Some Republican lawmakers also welcomed the measure, which is likely to have its greatest impact on prestigious research universities like Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins.

Scientists Deplore Sharp US Cut In Medical Research Funding