UCLA has been notified that it will be losing some of its federal research funding over claims of \u201cantisemitism and bias,\u201d according to the school\u2019s chancellor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUCLA received a notice that the federal government, through its control of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other agencies, is suspending certain research funding to UCLA,\u201d said UCLA\u2019s chancellor Julio Frenk in a statement released on Thursday. \u201cThis is not only a loss to the researchers who rely on critical grants. It is a loss for Americans across the nation whose work, health, and future depend on the groundbreaking work we do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frenk said \u201chundreds of grants\u201d may be lost due to the decision.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe news we received is so deeply disappointing. With this decision, hundreds of grants may be lost, adversely affecting the lives and life-changing work of UCLA researchers, faculty and staff,\u201d the chancellor said. \u201cIn its notice to us, the federal government claims antisemitism and bias as the reasons. This far-reaching penalty of defunding life-saving research does nothing to address any alleged discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just earlier this week, UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with Jewish students to resolve a lawsuit alleging it allowed pro-Palestinian demonstrators to prevent Jewish students and faculty from accessing parts of campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe share the goal of eradicating antisemitism across society. Antisemitism has no place on our campus, nor does any form of discrimination. We recognize that we can improve, and I am committed to doing so,\u201d Frenk said in his statement on Thursday. \u201cConfronting the scourge of antisemitism effectively calls for thoughtfulness, commitment, and sustained effort — and UCLA has taken robust actions to make our campus a safe and welcoming environment for all students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n UCLA said it is \u201cactively evaluating our best course of action\u201d following the announcement that it is set to lose some of its federal research funding.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor the past several months, our leadership team has been preparing for this situation and have developed comprehensive contingency plans. We will do everything we can to protect the interests of faculty, students and staff — and to defend our values and principles,\u201d Frenk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFederal research grants are not handouts. Our researchers compete fiercely for these grants, proposing work that the government itself deems vital to the country\u2019s health, safety and economic future,\u201d the chancellor continued. \u201cGrants lead to medical breakthroughs, economic advancement, improved national security and global competitiveness — these are national priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n