The University of California (UC) is warning that proposed federal budget cuts could significantly impact scientific research across the country. Since January, many academic and government laboratories have experienced stalled progress due to frozen funding or cancelled grants by federal agencies. The situation escalated in August when the federal government froze more than $500 million in research funding at UCLA and demanded a $1 billion settlement from the university.
Federal funding constitutes over half of all research support at UC, making these potential reductions especially significant for its operations. UC President James B. Milliken commented on the importance of this support: “From developing new treatments for cancer to preventing wildfires and helping farmers find new ways to feed the nation, UC discoveries have transformed industries and improved countless lives. Investments in UC scientists and research consistently lead to remarkable benefits that make our communities healthier, our economy stronger, and our nation safer.”
In response, UC has launched “Speak Up for Science,” an initiative encouraging citizens, students, and scientists to advocate against cuts to federal science spending. The campaign aims to inform lawmakers that reducing support for agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy would negatively affect Americans nationwide.
Individuals interested in participating can use the Speak Up for Science action center to contact their congressional representatives or share messages on social media about the value of continued investment in scientific research.
UC is also rallying its internal community through “Stand Up for UC,” where supporters can sign a pledge and communicate the significance of public universities like UC.
