A federal judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to reinstate $500 million in federal research grants to the University of California, Los Angeles, ruling that the government likely violated the law when it froze the funding.
US District Judge Rita Lin issued a preliminary injunction in San Francisco, saying the suspensions breached the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires agencies to follow specific procedures and provide detailed justifications. Instead, UCLA was notified through broad form letters that failed to explain why the grants were halted.
The frozen funding, largely tied to National Institutes of Health projects, supported medical research on Parkinson’s disease, cancer recovery, and nerve regeneration. UCLA leaders warned the suspension could have devastated critical labs and forced layoffs.
In August, UCLA said the Trump administration had suspended $584 million in federal grants over allegations tied to antisemitism and affirmative action. Lin previously ordered $81 million in National Science Foundation grants restored, calling earlier suspensions unlawful.
The ruling marks the latest clash between the administration and elite universities. The White House has used its control of federal funds to press reforms at schools it accuses of fostering antisemitism or engaging in discriminatory practices. Columbia and Brown reached settlements to preserve funding, while Harvard sued and won a court ruling that deemed its freeze illegal retaliation.
California governor Gavin Newsom has denounced the Trump administration’s demand for a $1 billion settlement from UCLA as “extortion.” The university has argued such a payment would cripple the institution.
The case has been closely watched by researchers on UCLA’s Westwood campus, many of whom scaled back lab hours and considered layoffs during the funding freeze. “From the scientific side of it, it is incredibly warming to hear that, to see that sort of decision,” said Neil Garg, a chemistry professor whose $2.9 million grant had been suspended.
Doctoral student Elle Rathbun, who lost a $160,000 NIH grant for stroke recovery research, said the injunction was a relief. “I am really glad that [the suspension] didn’t last more than these two months,” she said. “It showed me how quickly our lives and our life’s work can be upended.”
The Trump administration has appealed earlier rulings in the case, but the 9th Circuit declined to intervene. Federal agencies have yet to comment on the latest injunction.
US District Judge Rita Lin issued a preliminary injunction in San Francisco, saying the suspensions breached the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires agencies to follow specific procedures and provide detailed justifications. Instead, UCLA was notified through broad form letters that failed to explain why the grants were halted.
The frozen funding, largely tied to National Institutes of Health projects, supported medical research on Parkinson’s disease, cancer recovery, and nerve regeneration. UCLA leaders warned the suspension could have devastated critical labs and forced layoffs.
In August, UCLA said the Trump administration had suspended $584 million in federal grants over allegations tied to antisemitism and affirmative action. Lin previously ordered $81 million in National Science Foundation grants restored, calling earlier suspensions unlawful.
The ruling marks the latest clash between the administration and elite universities. The White House has used its control of federal funds to press reforms at schools it accuses of fostering antisemitism or engaging in discriminatory practices. Columbia and Brown reached settlements to preserve funding, while Harvard sued and won a court ruling that deemed its freeze illegal retaliation.
California governor Gavin Newsom has denounced the Trump administration’s demand for a $1 billion settlement from UCLA as “extortion.” The university has argued such a payment would cripple the institution.
The case has been closely watched by researchers on UCLA’s Westwood campus, many of whom scaled back lab hours and considered layoffs during the funding freeze. “From the scientific side of it, it is incredibly warming to hear that, to see that sort of decision,” said Neil Garg, a chemistry professor whose $2.9 million grant had been suspended.
Doctoral student Elle Rathbun, who lost a $160,000 NIH grant for stroke recovery research, said the injunction was a relief. “I am really glad that [the suspension] didn’t last more than these two months,” she said. “It showed me how quickly our lives and our life’s work can be upended.”
The Trump administration has appealed earlier rulings in the case, but the 9th Circuit declined to intervene. Federal agencies have yet to comment on the latest injunction.
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