Follow COGR on LinkedIn9/8/25New York Times, Guest Essay
We Are Watching a Scientific Superpower Destroy Itself
But if America’s response to Sputnik reflected a nation united in its commitment to science and determined to invest in the country’s intellectual potential, we see in our response to China today a bitterly divided, disoriented America. We are currently governed by a leader indifferent to scientific consensus if it contradicts his political or economic interests, hostile to immigrants and intent on crippling the research universities that embody our collective hope for the future. The menace now is within. And with very few exceptions, the leaders of American universities have done little more than duck and cover
The Hill, OpinionSee also
See also: American brain drain is a colossal self-inflicted wound
9/8/25The Hill
GOP, Democratic leaders look to de-escalate shutdown standoff
Congressional leaders are trying to de-escalate a standoff over the Sept. 30 government funding deadline, with both Republicans and Democrats signaling they’d be open to a 45-day or possibly longer “clean” continuing resolution that would not include substantial funding cuts
9/8/25Inside Higher Ed
Former NIH Leaders Allege Retaliation for Whistleblowing
Two former National Institutes of Health leaders are alleging the agency illegally put them on leave in April for speaking up against research grant cancellations and antivaccine efforts. Jeanne Marrazzo, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Kathleen Neuzil, former director of the NIH’s Fogarty International Center and former associate director for international research, filed complaints Thursday with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, seeking reinstatement. They allege they faced retaliation for whistleblowing and other protected activity.
9/8/25Inside Higher Ed
3 Takeaways From Harvard’s Legal Victory
A judge ruled that the federal government illegally froze $2.2 billion in research funding for the university. But with an appeal looming, it’s unclear when the funds will be restored.
Washington PostSee also
See also: Harvard beat Trump in court. Here’s what could happen next.
Harvard faces an appeal in court, the prospect of more attacks and a possible delay in restoring the more than $2 billion in frozen federal funding, experts say.
9/5/25AP News
Pentagon-funded research at colleges has aided the Chinese military, a House GOP report says
Over a recent two-year period, the Pentagon funded hundreds of projects done in collaboration with universities in China and institutes linked to that nation’s defense industry, including many blacklisted by the U.S. government for working with the Chinese military, a congressional investigation has found.
9/5/25The Chronicle
The Future of HSI Funding Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What One Institution Stands to Lose.
The Justice Department last month declined to defend a federal-grant program for colleges that serve a disproportionate number of Hispanic students. A lawsuit from the State of Tennessee and Students For Fair Admissions, the organization that successfully challenged race-conscious admissions, alleged that the program is discriminatory and violates the Constitution. The move could mean the end of the 27-year-old Hispanic-Serving Institutions program, affecting funding for more than 600 institutions across the country
9/4/25E&E News
Interior revives science policy from first Trump administration
The Interior Department has resurrected an "open science" policy that echoes a much-criticized approach in place during the first Trump administration. In a new secretary’s order signed Aug. 29 but publicized Thursday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spelled out how the department will pursue what it calls its "commitment to transparency, integrity and accountability" in research and decision making