Oppose Cuts to Federal University Research Funding

I am writing to express my strong opposition to any cuts to federal funding for university research and development (R&D). This funding is a critical investment in our nation's future. The federal government provides billions to support research and development efforts at universities, with nearly $60 billion dedicated to university R&D expenses in FY 2023 alone. This funding is channeled through grants and contracts. See https://usafacts.org/articles/what-do-universities-do-with-the-billions-they-receive-from-the-government/. A significant portion of this investment goes to vital fields such as life sciences and engineering. In 2023, life sciences received $33.9 billion (56.9%) and engineering received $10.9 billion (18.3%) of federal R&D funding. University R&D covers a wide range of areas including computer science, physical sciences, psychology, social sciences, and more. Grant funding, in particular, supports crucial public projects and services authorized by federal law. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a sub-agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awards grants for research aimed at reducing the spread of communicable diseases. HHS is a major federal agency providing significant grant funding, particularly for public health research including cancer research, mental health research, and drug and alcohol studies. In fiscal year 2024, HHS committed $177.4 billion in grants and contracts to universities. Recent actions, such as HHS terminating some grants previously awarded to universities in March 2025, raise concerns about potential cuts to this essential funding. Cutting federal support for university research, particularly grants that fuel public health and scientific advancement, would severely impact critical work being done across the country. It would jeopardize breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and other fields that benefit society. I urge you to oppose any cuts to federal university grants and contracts and support continued, robust investment in university research and development.