In a decisive move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration over its recent actions which threaten to undermine the National Science Foundation's (NSF) educational and research programs. Specifically, the administration's directives to reduce funding and terminate projects aimed at bolstering the involvement of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM fields have sparked this lawsuit. According to a recent press release by the Attorney General's Office, James is spearheading the effort in conjunction with a coalition of 15 other states' attorneys general.
The NSF, a pivotal body in the advancement of science and technology in the United States, began on April 18 to cease programs designed to foster diversity within STEM disciplines. Additionally, a contentious decision was announced on May 2 to cap "indirect costs" for research projects at 15 percent, a cut that could result in significant losses for scientific research across the nation. James stated, "This administration's attacks on basic science and essential efforts to ensure diversity in STEM will weaken our economy and our national security." She emphasized, "Putting politics over science will only set our country back," in a statement obtained by the Office of the Attorney General.
The local impact of the NSF’s policy changes is significant, with 18 programs within the City University of New York (CUNY) losing $11 million in funding aimed at boosting STEM participation among underrepresented groups. The coalition’s lawsuit argues that the NSF’s decision to cap indirect research costs could severely hinder both current and future scientific work within the SUNY system. According to reports, SUNY had projected $24.6 million in indirect cost funding for fiscal year 2025; under the newly imposed 15 percent cap, that amount would be reduced by $18 million, affecting essential research support.
The group of attorneys general hold the position that the NSF's measures contravene both the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution, accusing the administration of unlawfully altering NSF policy. Aiming for a court-ordered halt of NSF's new policies, the lawsuit argues the importance of abiding by Congress's original mandate for the agency. Attorney General James said, "I will continue to fight to protect critical scientific research and education," reflecting a firm stance against the appropriations in science funding, according to a press release.
Joining New York in this legal challenge are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington. Their joint effort aims to reinforce Congress's directives for the NSF and advocate for a vision of inclusive and unrestricted scientific research—a vision they argue is increasingly at risk due to recent policy changes under the current administration.
