{"id":375460,"date":"2025-04-17T08:46:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T06:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=375460"},"modified":"2025-04-17T08:46:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T06:46:41","slug":"flagrantly-unlawful-action-universities-sue-trumps-energy-department-over-latest-funding-cuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=375460","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Flagrantly Unlawful Action\u2019: Universities Sue Trump\u2019s Energy Department Over Latest Funding Cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE DAILY CALLER<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaryn Crouson<\/a>
<\/strong>Contributor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several universities and higher education associations filed a lawsuit Monday against the Department of Energy (DOE) over a new policy capping indirect research funding cost rates at 15%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DOE announced<\/a> April 11 it would limit support for indirect costs, or money that is used for administrative and other non-research related expenses, to 15% for all research funding. The Association of American Universities (AAU), American Council on Education (ACE) and schools such as Cornell, Brown and the University of Michigan claim in the suit that the department\u2019s decision is \u201cflagrantly unlawful\u201d and \u201cwill devastate scientific research,\u201d according to the lawsuit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I]f DOE\u2019s policy is allowed to stand, it will devastate scientific research at America\u2019s universities and badly undermine our Nation\u2019s enviable status as a global leader in scientific research and innovation,\u201d the lawsuit argues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawsuit alleges several vital projects, such as \u201cthe development of advanced nuclear and cybersecurity technologies, arms control verification mechanisms designed to reduce the risk of nuclear war, novel radioactive drugs to diagnose and treat cancer, and upgrades for the electrical grids that keep the lights on in rural communities,\u201d would be impacted by the cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese actions are part of a continuing and dangerous effort to erode federal support for university-based research,\u201d AAU, ACE and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) said in a joint statement announcing<\/a> the lawsuit. \u201cThe proposed DOE cap would have an immediate and damaging impact on critical energy, physical sciences, and engineering research at more than 300 colleges and universities nationwide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACE and APLU did not immediately respond to the DCNF\u2019s request for comment. AAU referred the DCNF to the group\u2019s public statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DOE\u2019s move aimed to save taxpayers $405 million annually, the agency said in its announcement of the decision, stating \u201cThe purpose of Department of Energy funding to colleges and universities is to support scientific research \u2013 not foot the bill for administrative costs and facility upgrades.\u201d The cut did not apply to direct research funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spokesman for the DOE told the Daily Caller News Foundation it \u201cdoes not comment on ongoing litigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The indirect costs typically go towards expenses such as \u201cfacility costs,\u201d which include \u201cdepreciation on buildings, equipment and capital improvements, and operations and maintenance expenses,\u201d and \u201cgeneral administration and [other] general expenses,\u201d which includes funding for \u201cthe director\u2019s office, accounting, [and] personnel,\u201d according to the DOE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some universities, such as the University of Illinois, a plaintiff listed in the lawsuit, receive as much as 58.6% in indirect funding, the suit says. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), another plaintiff, estimates it would lose as much as $16 million in funding if the DOE cut is allowed to take effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither university immediately responded to the DCNF\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in February was also met with backlash<\/a> after it similarly capped indirect research funding costs at 15%. Many universities have also negotiated their funding rates with NIH previously, with Harvard receiving<\/a> upwards of 69% in indirect funding. (RELATED: Trump Administration Questions US-Funded Researchers Abroad For \u2018Anti-American Beliefs\u2019)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A federal judge has since permanently blocked<\/a> NIH\u2019s cut due to improper procedure in initiating the cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration pulled a similar move<\/a> in 2017, proposing a rule capping NIH indirect grant costs at 10%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cornell, Brown and the University of Michigan did not immediately respond to the DCNF\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter\u2019s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Several universities and higher education associations filed a lawsuit Monday against the Department of Energy (DOE) over a new policy capping indirect research funding cost rates at 15%.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":375463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691834568,691834566,691834570,691834569,691834567,691822741],"class_list":{"0":"post-375460","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-american-council-on-education-ace","9":"tag-association-of-american-universities-aau","10":"tag-brown","11":"tag-cornell","12":"tag-massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit","13":"tag-u-s-department-of-energy-doe","15":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0250211-donald-trump-oval-office-resolute-desk-ac-602p-b91b38.webp?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1zFO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":255305,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=255305","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":0},"title":"No Supreme Ruling on Deadbeat Cities\u2018 Climate Lawsuits","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"29\/04\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The United State\u00a0Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a lawsuit\u00a0Boulder and two other local governments filed against oil refiners Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil and deemed similar climate change-related lawsuits matters for state courts.","rel":"","context":"In \"Climate change\"","block_context":{"text":"Climate change","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-change"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0supremecourt_science_GettyImages-1252001023.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0supremecourt_science_GettyImages-1252001023.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0supremecourt_science_GettyImages-1252001023.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0supremecourt_science_GettyImages-1252001023.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0supremecourt_science_GettyImages-1252001023.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":227163,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=227163","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":1},"title":"Gas Furnaces and Big Brother Revisited","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"03\/11\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The fantasy, the shared narrative, is that replacing natural gas with electricity addresses the \u2018climate crisis\u2019 \u2026 Coupled with smart meters and digital currency, the home and business are subject to social monitoring and control. This is a high-tech version of F. A. Hayek\u2019s\u00a0the road to serfdom.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-122.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-122.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-122.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-122.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/image-122.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":292359,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=292359","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":2},"title":"Fisherman\u2019s Association Drops \u201cClimate Deception\u201d Lawsuit","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"23\/12\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In a recent development that should hardly surprise those who follow the climate litigation theater, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen\u2019s Associations (PCFFA) has withdrawn its climate lawsuit.","rel":"","context":"In \"climate deception\"","block_context":{"text":"climate deception","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-deception"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-539.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-539.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-539.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-539.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-539.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":411561,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=411561","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":3},"title":"Trump Admin Looking to Restore Coal Plants as America\u2019s Grid Buckles","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"04\/11\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking to restore coal plants across America \u201cfor up to $100 million in federal funding.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In \"coal\"","block_context":{"text":"coal","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=coal"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Screenshot-2025-11-04-185955.png?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Screenshot-2025-11-04-185955.png?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Screenshot-2025-11-04-185955.png?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Screenshot-2025-11-04-185955.png?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Screenshot-2025-11-04-185955.png?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":255339,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=255339","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":4},"title":"DOE vs. Gas Cooking: A Review of Critical Comments","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"30\/04\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Good news! Filed comments opposing the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s \u201cEnergy Conservation Standards for Residential Conventional Cooking Products (Ovens)\u201d beat the other side in quantity, quality and range.","rel":"","context":"In \"CO2\"","block_context":{"text":"CO2","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=co2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0top-10-best-gas-stove-in-india-reviews-and-features.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0top-10-best-gas-stove-in-india-reviews-and-features.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0top-10-best-gas-stove-in-india-reviews-and-features.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0top-10-best-gas-stove-in-india-reviews-and-features.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/0top-10-best-gas-stove-in-india-reviews-and-features.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":425588,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=425588","url_meta":{"origin":375460,"position":5},"title":"Bald Eagle\u2019s Grizzly Death at Obama\u2011Funded Wind Project Site Triggers Federal Fine","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"10\/02\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In early February 2026 a bald eagle was killed by a wind turbine at the University of Minnesota's Eolos Wind Energy Research Field Station in Dakota County, Minnesota. The eagle was struck by the turbine blade, resulting in a gruesome dismemberment into three pieces. he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"bald and golden eagle\"","block_context":{"text":"bald and golden eagle","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=bald-and-golden-eagle"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQPg-zu_dKSQq8UJjryADtUkFolw_vaYkyw0unNKyKolA1msAPc9s_ly0uJJEpYl83QpvoUrmNQoj7yCHInLgi6BS4c7z-ccDqxU7TOSqR9o3g7dd13wJNDaBiQ6TiDq.jpeg?fit=1200%2C679&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQPg-zu_dKSQq8UJjryADtUkFolw_vaYkyw0unNKyKolA1msAPc9s_ly0uJJEpYl83QpvoUrmNQoj7yCHInLgi6BS4c7z-ccDqxU7TOSqR9o3g7dd13wJNDaBiQ6TiDq.jpeg?fit=1200%2C679&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQPg-zu_dKSQq8UJjryADtUkFolw_vaYkyw0unNKyKolA1msAPc9s_ly0uJJEpYl83QpvoUrmNQoj7yCHInLgi6BS4c7z-ccDqxU7TOSqR9o3g7dd13wJNDaBiQ6TiDq.jpeg?fit=1200%2C679&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQPg-zu_dKSQq8UJjryADtUkFolw_vaYkyw0unNKyKolA1msAPc9s_ly0uJJEpYl83QpvoUrmNQoj7yCHInLgi6BS4c7z-ccDqxU7TOSqR9o3g7dd13wJNDaBiQ6TiDq.jpeg?fit=1200%2C679&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AQPg-zu_dKSQq8UJjryADtUkFolw_vaYkyw0unNKyKolA1msAPc9s_ly0uJJEpYl83QpvoUrmNQoj7yCHInLgi6BS4c7z-ccDqxU7TOSqR9o3g7dd13wJNDaBiQ6TiDq.jpeg?fit=1200%2C679&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=375460"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":375465,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375460\/revisions\/375465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=375460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=375460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=375460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}