University of California sponsors $23 billion research funding bill

"University research has been under sustained attack over the past year, UC President James B. Milliken said in a statement Thursday. This bill aims to protect the remarkable advances benefiting millions of Californians now and in the future. We are proud to cosponsor this bill and will always stand up for science."

"As the federal government upends science funding, California must stand up to defend science and to double down on our state's global science leadership, Wiener said. The legislation is also endorsed by United Auto Workers Region 6 and Union of American Physicians and Dentists, unions that represent thousands of researchers across the state."

"In the last year, the Trump administration has slashed more than $3 billion in research funding to colleges and universities, according to an estimate by the Center for American Progress. In California, the National Institutes of Health has canceled more than $55.9 million in grants to Bay Area universities, targeting research on health equity, transgender youth, and anti-racist initiatives."

The University of California is sponsoring Senate Bill 895, a $23 billion bond measure for the November ballot to fund scientific research across California. This initiative responds to significant federal research funding cuts, with the Trump administration reducing over $3 billion in research funding to colleges and universities nationally. The administration cited concerns including campus antisemitism, diversity initiatives, and transgender athlete policies as reasons for cuts. In California specifically, the National Institutes of Health canceled over $55.9 million in grants to Bay Area universities. UC President James B. Milliken stated the bill protects scientific advances benefiting Californians. State Senator Scott Wiener introduced the legislation, supported by unions representing thousands of researchers.

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