1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The erosion of academic freedom and drastic reduction in research funding threatens to derail the United States' global scientific leadership. America's unrivaled success in innovation stems from a strategic ecosystem linking government, universities, and industry. This robust partnership has fueled lifesaving breakthroughs and economic growth by commercializing academic research into new technologies and businesses. Slashing reimbursements for universities' indirect research costs from around 50% to 15% would cripple their ability to maintain essential infrastructure like facilities, regulatory compliance, data storage, and administrative support for cutting-edge inquiry. Such reckless actions dismantle the very engine powering American innovation. Instead of sabotaging this invaluable system, the administration must prioritize protecting and bolstering the academic research enterprise, including its intellectual and cultural diversity that nurtures creativity by welcoming foreign students and scholars. Congress holds the power of the purse and I urge you to introduce and support legislation that will protect and enhance funding and academic freedom at colleges and universities.