UCLA is experiencing a freeze of approximately $339 million in research grants from federal agencies, raising questions about the university's response to this issue. Faculty, graduate workers, and students are concerned about potential layoffs and financial repercussions. The university administration, including Marcia L. Smith, indicated they are preparing to address queries from federal entities like the NIH and NSF. While the university has not disclosed specific negotiation outcomes, there is cautious optimism about resolving the grants suspension.
"There is a time period to resolve the questions the government has for us," Marcia L. Smith, associate vice chancellor for UCLA research administration, said during the virtual town hall.
Smith said the leaders were "preparing" to contact the NIH, National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy - which froze roughly 800 grants over several days last week - "to talk about what kinds of information they need to lift these suspensions."
Smith said she was "very hopeful" that UCLA will "find a solution."
UCLA may challenge the federal government, negotiate, or tap into emergency reserves to support researchers, with outcomes currently uncertain.
Collection
[
|
...
]