A coalition of major universities, including MIT, Cornell, and Princeton, has filed a lawsuit in Boston against the Trump administration, claiming that recent cuts to research funding will significantly hinder scientific discoveries crucial for national interests.
In a court filing, the universities assert that the changes will obstruct progress in key areas, such as nuclear deterrents, novel energy sources, and treatments for debilitating diseases.
The lawsuit specifically targets the Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement that it would cap the annual reimbursement rate for ‘indirect costs’ associated with research at 15 percent, a substantial reduction from the current average rate of over 30 percent at many universities.
These indirect research expenses encompass a range of essential costs, including electricity, lab equipment, and staff salaries, as detailed in the universities’ complaint.
The DOE has stated that this cap is part of an effort to save more than $405 million annually, arguing that federal funding should not cover administrative costs or facility upgrades.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright was quoted in a government press release, stating, “The purpose of Department of Energy funding to colleges and universities is to support scientific research, not foot the bill for administrative costs and facility upgrades.”
In a joint statement, representatives from the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), and the American Council on Education (ACE) expressed concerns that the proposed cuts will have a “dire impact on critical energy, physical sciences, and engineering research nationwide.”
They further warned that these changes could set a troubling precedent that might threaten federal investments in research across other agencies as well.
Brown University President Christina H. Paxson pledged that the institution would take necessary actions to protect funding that supports critical research and innovation.
She maintained that the cuts would adversely affect areas vital to national energy needs and security, as well as the technology essential for sustaining America’s global leadership.
At Brown, research funded by the energy department includes projects in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and nuclear technology—fields deemed critical by the current federal administration.
The lawsuit argues that the funding cuts may force Brown to let go of research staff and equipment, jeopardizing its scientific endeavors.
Greg Hirth, Brown’s vice president for research, expressed concerns in a court filing, stating that without adequate research funding, skilled faculty members might leave the institution for better opportunities elsewhere, possibly even outside the United States.
“This brain-drain will inevitably lead to lost opportunities to develop U.S. intellectual property, advance American science and energy security, create U.S. startups, and cultivate a workforce essential for the science and technical priorities of the current administration,” Hirth claimed.
Like its counterparts, Brown has also faced increased scrutiny under the Trump administration.
Last week, university officials reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had begun expanding its investigation into alleged antisemitism at a May 2024 protest to include the entire university’s activities dating back to October 2023.
As part of this push, the Trump administration reportedly indicated that it would block $510 million in federal contracts and grants for Brown due to challenges surrounding persistent antisemitism on campus.
In addition to research funding cuts, the university has experienced a reduction in public health research funding since the onset of Trump’s presidency.
In response, countless faculty members have rallied and urged the university leadership to stand firm against these federal tactics.
In Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has instituted a hiring freeze affecting nonessential positions, excluding faculty, due to ongoing uncertainty in Washington.
Alongside Brown, MIT has also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that cuts to indirect costs associated with National Institutes of Health grants are unconstitutional.
A federal court has issued a permanent injunction against these cuts, a ruling that remains in effect while the federal government seeks to appeal.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the significant tensions between the federal administration and elite educational institutions regarding research funding priorities.
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