Federal Judge Blocks NSF from Cutting Research Funding

A federal judge has thwarted an effort by the Trump administration to cut research funding to universities. The move represents a significant setback for the administration's policy aimed at reducing government support for scientific research at major academic institutions.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston deemed the policy adopted by the National Science Foundation in May as 'arbitrary and capricious.' The policy sought to limit the reimbursement ability of universities for administrative and facility costs that indirectly support grant-funded research.

The National Science Foundation, a $9 billion agency supporting scientific research, had already canceled hundreds of grants. This attempt to align the agency's operations with President Trump's broader priorities has now faced a serious legal challenge.

(With inputs from agencies.)