Universities sue over Energy Department research funding cuts
Source: NBC News
April 15, 2025, 9:47 AM EDT
A group of universities — including Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — and education groups filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to halt the Department of Energy's cuts to federal research grants. Last week, the Energy Department (DOE) announced a new policy to reduce the funding of "indirect costs" of research grants to 15%.
However, the plaintiffs argue such cuts will "devastate scientific research at America’s universities" and "undermine" the nation’s status as a global leader in innovation. "The pace of scientific discoveries in the national interest will be slowed," the lawsuit says. "Progress on a safe and effective nuclear deterrent, novel energy sources, and cures for debilitating and life-threatening illness will be obstructed. America’s rivals will celebrate, even as science and industry in the United States suffer."
The suit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts claims the policy change is unlawful and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. It seeks an injunction.
Other plaintiffs include Cornell University, the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Princeton University, the University of Rochester, the Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/universities-sue-energy-department-research-funding-cuts-rcna201283
Link to SUIT (PDF) - https://www.brown.edu/sites/default/files/April_14.pdf