The University of California is facing significant challenges to its research activities due to recent federal actions and proposed funding cuts. The federal government has suspended over $500 million in UCLA research funding and demanded a $1 billion settlement from the university. In addition, Congress is considering substantial reductions to the budgets of federal science agencies that support university research across the country, with some proposals calling for cuts by as much as half.
These developments put at risk a range of scientific projects underway at UC campuses. For example, UC Davis plant biologist Venkatesan Sundaresan has used grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop methods for cloning hybrid crop seeds. This advancement could lead to lower production costs for seed companies, with savings ultimately reaching farmers and consumers.
At UC San Francisco, neurology professor Adam Boxer is leading a clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health to test new combinations of Alzheimer’s drugs. Meanwhile, UCLA astronomer Amy Mainzer heads a NASA mission focused on identifying comets and asteroids that could pose threats to Earth—a project requiring sustained investment and expertise.
Quantum computing research led by UC Berkeley physicist Dan Stamper-Kurn brings together scholars from several universities through the Challenge Institute for Quantum Computation, which receives support from the National Science Foundation.
Efforts are also underway at UC Riverside where chemical and environmental engineering professor Jinyong Liu is developing ways to filter and destroy persistent industrial chemicals known as PFAS in drinking water systems. His work is supported by funding from both the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation.
University leaders warn that without reliable federal funding, these initiatives—and future scientific progress—are in jeopardy. They argue that continued investment in research not only benefits Californians but also strengthens America’s technological leadership globally.
“Science makes our lives better. Now it’s at risk. Join us in asking Congress to reject drastic cuts to research,” reads an appeal from university representatives.
