Wisconsin Attorney General Joins Lawsuit Against NSF Funding Cuts
MADISON, WI (WKOW) — Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has partnered with a coalition of 15 attorneys general to file a lawsuit against the National Science Foundation (NSF), seeking to halt funding cuts that threaten scientific research and education in Wisconsin and across the nation. Kaul criticized the Trump administration’s policies, stating, "These devastating and unlawful cuts should be enjoined."
The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, contests two NSF directives that impose a 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursements. This measure could lead to substantial funding losses for Wisconsin universities, with the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) facing potential annual losses of nearly $38 million by 2028. Similarly, UW-Milwaukee is expected to lose around $1.5 million annually in indirect cost recovery.
These funding cuts jeopardize vital programs at UW-Madison, including the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the NSF Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, raising concerns about hindering scientific progress and economic development in the state. The NSF has also discontinued projects aimed at promoting STEM participation among underrepresented groups, resulting in UW-Madison losing 16 grant programs that supported initiatives for indigenous communities and disabled researchers.
The lawsuit argues that the NSF’s actions violate federal statutes and overstep the agency’s authority. Kaul’s coalition includes attorneys general from several states, including California, New York, and Washington, who stand united in challenging the NSF directives and advocating for the future of scientific research and education.
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