• 16 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over NSF funding cuts.
• The lawsuit challenges new caps on research funding and diversity program eliminations.
• State officials argue these cuts threaten national leadership in STEM fields.
• The lawsuit cites severe financial impacts on universities, particularly in California and New York.
• The administration's proposed cuts could reduce NSF's budget by over 55%.

Sixteen states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, have initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that proposed cuts to funding at the National Science Foundation (NSF) not only threaten significant research initiatives but also endanger the U.S.’s leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan federal court, contends that the administration's decisions to cap indirect research costs and eliminate diversity initiatives contravene Congress's long-standing objectives for federal science support, according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and India Times.

The lawsuit highlights that the cuts, amounting to approximately $1.4 billion and impacting over 1,700 research grants, will severely disrupt academic projects vital for scientific innovation and health advancements. "This administration’s attacks on basic science and essential efforts to ensure diversity in STEM will weaken our economy and national security," stated James. The elimination of diversity programs is particularly concerning as these initiatives have historically supported an increase in participation among women and minorities in STEM fields, according to Los Angeles Times and India Times.

According to the lawsuit, the NSF has proposed a drastic reduction of its budget by more than 55%, which couldforce institutions across the country to reevaluate ongoing projects. California Attorney General Rob Bonta pointed out that essential research elements, including lab maintenance and equipment funding—critical for executing research—have been severely compromised by the new funding caps. He noted, “Without NSF funding, many colleges and universities will be forced to substantially reduce or stop altogether potentially groundbreaking programs,” as reported by Reuters and India Times.

The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond immediate funding issues, reinforcing concerns that the United States could fall behind in the global tech race due to these federal restrictions. James stressed that initiatives previously funded by the NSF have been instrumental in major innovations, stating that technologies, which are critical to modern infrastructure and healthcare, stem from NSF-backed research, according to Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and India Times.