California files legal action to prevent Trump's proposed reductions in university scientific research funding.
In a joint lawsuit on Wednesday, California and 15 other states accused the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its acting director of illegally terminating millions of dollars in research grants and imposing new fees, which have crippled essential studies in health, the economy, and the advancement of knowledge.
The suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the NSF's actions arbitrarily violate federal law on the management and use of federal funding. California Attorney General Rob Bonta claims that the NSF has ended research grants that sought to promote and understand diversity in higher education and the workforce.
Between 1995 and 2017, the number of women in science and engineering occupations, or with science or engineering degrees, doubled with federal support, according to Bonta's office. Meanwhile, minorities increased their representation in these occupations from about 15% to 35%.
The lawsuit also takes issue with the Trump administration's 15% cap on indirect costs related to research, which universities argue are essential to maintaining lab space, controlling temperature, and handling and disposing of biological, chemical, and biochemical materials.
Thousands of American scientists have lost their jobs or grants due to the Trump administration's billions of dollars in federal research funding cuts. Universities overseas are keen to employ these displaced researchers.
As key federal agencies, including the NSF, have experienced across-the-board funding cuts, layoffs, reorganization, and apparent ideological litmus tests for research under the Trump administration, the lawsuit seeks to overturn these actions.
In a response, Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in federally funded research, calling them close-minded. He also called for a reduction of "red tape" in scientific research, citing a crisis of confidence in scientists due to perceived political biases affecting research.
President Trump's funding cuts to scientific research risk billions of dollars across California's state university, University of California, and community college systems. The lawsuit asserted that many innovations, such as the internet, GPS, and MRI technology, have their origins in research initially funded by the NSF.
The Trump administration has maintained that federal funding is rife with waste and fraud, but critics argue that the cuts harm the research system. In California, protests have been held to draw attention to the funding cuts and their potential impact on scientific progress.
In addition to the lawsuit against the NSF, California is also part of a lawsuit over cuts to grants from the National Institutes of Health. Tara Kerin, a project scientist in pediatric infectious disease research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said that the funding cuts at the NSF and NIH make her concerned about the future of science and research.
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) and its acting director are being accused by California and 15 other states of illegally terminating millions of dollars in research grants and imposing new fees, which have crippled essential studies.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta claims that the NSF has ended research grants that sought to promote and understand diversity in higher education and the workforce.
- between 1995 and 2017, the number of women in science and engineering occupations or with science or engineering degrees doubled with federal support.
- Meanwhile, minorities increased their representation in these occupations from about 15% to 35% with federal support.
- Thousands of American scientists have lost their jobs or grants due to the Trump administration's billions of dollars in federal research funding cuts.
- As key federal agencies, including the NSF, have experienced across-the-board funding cuts, layoffs, reorganization, and apparent ideological litmus tests for research under the Trump administration, the lawsuit seeks to overturn these actions.
- Tara Kerin, a project scientist in pediatric infectious disease research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said that the funding cuts at the NSF and NIH make her concerned about the future of science and research.
- Critics argue that the Trump administration's cuts to federal research harm the research system, and in California, protests have been held to draw attention to the funding cuts and their potential impact on scientific progress.
- In Los Angeles, the advancement of technology, education, and health, as well as the study of medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and the environment, could be jeopardized by the government's actions and funding cuts.
