SEATTLE – Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in suing the Trump administration. They aim to block the administration’s attempt to cut National Science Foundation (NSF) programs, which the state says are crucial for maintaining the U.S.’s leadership in STEM fields.
The lawsuit challenges the NSF’s April 18 directive to terminate projects that increase participation of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM. Additionally, on May 2, NSF announced a cap on “indirect costs” for research projects at 15 percent, threatening to slash funding for essential scientific research.
Attorney General Brown stressed the importance of NSF support for Washington’s colleges and universities. “Washington’s college and university system is at the forefront of critical research and emerging technologies, and relies heavily on support from the National Science Foundation,” said Brown.
The coalition argues these NSF directives violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution. They seek a court order to block the new policies. Brown emphasized that the administration lacks the authority to cut NSF grants, which are vital for national security and economic leadership.
The lawsuit also highlights the success of NSF’s diversity initiatives, noting the increase in women and people of color in STEM fields since 1995. The coalition asserts that capping indirect costs would devastate university research, leading to project cancellations and staff layoffs.
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, and 13 other states have joined the lawsuit, which seeks to prevent the implementation of NSF’s new directives.
