Restore scientific research funding to protect US competitiveness

California's world-class universities are esteemed scientific leaders, playing an outsized role in driving American innovation and research breakthroughs. Capping indirect costs on research grants at 15% is not only financially devastating for universities and scientific progress, but the Trump administration's unilateral decision to impose these draconian cuts may be illegal. By circumventing Congress to slash this crucial funding from the previous 27% average, the administration appears to be violating federal laws and regulations governing how agencies can modify grant programs. This brazen executive overreach threatens to upend America's global scientific leadership by stripping billions from university budgets, forcing layoffs of vital personnel, and rendering tuition even more inaccessible. For California institutions, the revenue losses will be staggering, jeopardizing their ability to attract top talent and maintain cutting-edge labs and facilities. Restoring full indirect cost support must be an urgent priority to prevent lasting harm to our nation's higher education system, research capabilities, and economic competitiveness on the world stage.