A federal judge indicated she is likely to order the restoration of $500 million in UCLA medical research grants that the Trump administration had frozen. The suspension of these grants, which fund studies on Parkinson’s disease, cancer treatment, and nerve regeneration, was linked to alleged antisemitism violations at UCLA.
U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin, based in the Northern District of California, suggested she might reverse the grant freezes, citing possible violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. Lin emphasized that the suspensions were made through form letters that lacked specific details, a move she deemed a “fundamental sin” by the administration. The judge’s decision could be part of a broader class-action lawsuit that has already led to the reversal of other federal grant suspensions for the University of California (UC) system.
The lawsuit, filed by professors from UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, challenges the Trump administration’s actions, arguing they violate constitutional rights. The administration had demanded changes at UCLA, including a $1.2 billion fine, adjustments in admission policies, and access to internal records, in exchange for restoring the funding. UCLA has resisted these demands, stating they cross the university’s red lines.
The funding freeze has significantly impacted UCLA’s research, with scientists resorting to emergency funds and private grants to continue their work. Researchers have expressed concerns about the long-term effects on their projects, which are crucial for advancing medical science and innovation.
The case continues to unfold, with the possibility of a preliminary injunction that could temporarily reinstate the grants as the legal battle progresses.
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