UCLA has recently suspended approximately 800 research grants, as announced by Vice Chancellor for Research and Creative Activities Roger Wakimoto in an email distributed to principal investigators and vice chancellors. The suspension, effective July 30 or July 31, primarily affects around 500 grants from the National Institutes of Health and 300 from the National Science Foundation, alongside two awards from the U.S. Department of Energy. Researchers have been instructed to cease all spending related to these grants immediately.
This suspension follows a notification from Chancellor Julio Frenk regarding allegations from the federal government that UCLA engaged in “antisemitism and bias,” which led to the cessation of federal funding. The allegations stem from the university’s response to events surrounding the attacks by the Palestinian political party and militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023.
In his email, Wakimoto emphasized the importance of federal grants in enhancing research efforts at UCLA, saying, “Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to secure and steward federal grants… enabling researchers to advance human knowledge, improve lives, and change society for the better.” While a comprehensive list of suspended grants has been made available internally, the impact of these suspensions on ongoing research activities is significant.
Dr. Bharat Venkat, an associate professor and leader of UCLA’s Heat Lab, lamented the loss of his largest grant due to the funding freeze, stating that it complicates his research into thermal inequality and public health amidst a contentious political climate. He commented on the need to challenge these actions legally, asserting, “I’m going to keep doing my research… but this makes it a whole lot harder.”
Concerns are also being raised regarding the potential effect of these funding cuts on undergraduate research opportunities at UCLA. Britney Robinson from the Division of Physical Sciences cautioned that the loss of funding could limit available research opportunities and potentially lead to the closure of some laboratories.
Despite the challenges ahead, Wakimoto expressed optimism, stating, “UCLA has faced defining moments before and has always met them with courage, resilience, and resolve.” He reassured faculty and staff of the university’s commitment to restoring funding.
In summary, while the suspension of research grants at UCLA presents significant difficulties for faculty, students, and ongoing projects, the university’s leadership remains committed to overcoming these challenges with resilience and determination.