A group of universities, including Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have filed a lawsuit to stop the Department of Energy’s recent cuts to federal research grants which aim to reduce indirect costs of research grants to 15%. The lawsuit argues that these cuts will slow scientific discoveries, obstruct progress in various fields, and harm U.S. leadership in innovation. The plaintiffs claim that the new policy is illegal and violates regulations regarding indirect cost rates. The DOE argues that the policy change will save over $405 million annually. However, the complaint states that the effects of these cuts will be immediate and devastating, impacting critical projects and leading to reduced staffing and career damage. The cuts would result in significant financial losses for universities such as Brown, Caltech, and Cornell. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to halt the new policy and deem it invalid. The American Council on Education stated that the cuts would weaken America’s economic opportunities and workforce pipeline while benefiting potential adversaries. University officials emphasized the importance of DOE grants in supporting research and scientific work, and the potential negative impact of the cuts on their respective institutions. The lawsuit names DOE Secretary Chris Wright as a defendant, and various universities and education groups are working together to protect federal research funding.
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