A study commissioned by research university associations finds that universities are reimbursed at lower effective rates for indirect research costs than private industry and federal laboratories. The consulting firm Attain Partners reported that higher‑education institutions absorbed $7.06 billion in unrecovered indirect costs in fiscal 2024. Indirect costs—building maintenance, utilities, compliance and similar expenses—are negotiated with federal agencies on a per‑institution basis. The Trump administration previously sought to cap indirect cost reimbursement at 15%, a policy that courts blocked; the new study argues the existing system already leaves universities undercompensated relative to actual overhead. Researchers say the gap threatens the sustainability of federally funded research and argue for clearer federal policies that recognize university cost structures; university leaders say the findings should inform appropriations and reimbursement discussions in Congress.