On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters from UCLA took to the streets of Westwood to voice their opposition to cuts in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding under the Trump administration. The demonstration was part of a nationwide event called “Kill the Cuts,” organized by a coalition of labor unions at 37 locations across the country.
The protesters aimed to highlight President Trump’s decision to cut billions in funding from the NIH, which is crucial for research on diseases like cancer and diabetes. Many universities, including those in the University of California system, rely heavily on these federal funds for their research activities.
At UCLA, researchers gathered in Bruin Plaza to discuss how these funding cuts affect their work and livelihoods. Elisa Pabon, a Colombian American and postdoctoral researcher, spoke passionately about the elimination of NIH programs designed to support diversity in research. She emphasized that without these funding mechanisms, her career and the potential of many others would be severely impacted. "Those programs are investments in people — in their future, in their potential. And they’re being ripped away,” she said.
Pabon, who studies the effects of cannabis on women’s health, revealed that she recently learned her fellowship funding would end in August. This news left her devastated, as she faces the possibility of unemployment if she cannot secure alternative funding.
The cuts have targeted not only general research but also studies related to LGBTQ+ health, HIV, and other critical areas. Many researchers expressed concern that these reductions threaten to undo years of progress in science and medicine. At the rally, attendees held signs reading “Kill the Cuts, Save Science” and chanted “Shame! Shame! Shame!” in response to the administration’s actions.
In light of the funding cuts, UCLA and other universities have begun canceling research projects and rescinding offers for doctoral and postdoctoral positions. The uncertainty surrounding federal funding has led to hiring freezes across campuses, creating an atmosphere of anxiety among faculty and students alike.
A spokesperson for the University of California stated that the institution values federal investment in research and urged the administration to restore funding for programs that improve public health. In contrast, a representative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defended the funding cuts, claiming they align with the administration’s priorities.
As the rally concluded, protesters marched towards the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard, where they continued to voice their concerns. While some drivers showed support by honking, others reacted negatively, highlighting the divisive nature of the issue.
The protest at UCLA is part of a larger backlash against the Trump administration’s approach to scientific funding, which many believe threatens the future of research and public health. With ongoing legal challenges to the funding cuts, the fate of NIH grants remains uncertain, leaving researchers in a state of anxiety about their future.