Federal Funding Cuts Endanger UCLA Veterans in STEM Program; California Bond Act Could Provide Support
A recent commentary published by CalMatters, co‑written by UCLA doctoral student and Marine Corps veteran Jason Williams, highlights how federal research funding cuts are threatening programs that help veterans transition from military service to careers in science and higher education. The authors argue that the loss of federal grant dollars is directly impacting UCLA’s Veterans in STEM program.
The Veterans in STEM program at UCLA provides student veterans with research experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. It is part of the university’s Veteran Resource Center and is designed to help veterans enter and succeed in STEM fields. According to the commentary, the program was hit when federal officials froze millions of dollars in grant funding that had previously supported UCLA’s research activities.
The authors of the CalMatters piece urge support for California’s proposed Science and Health Research Bond Act (SB 895). The bond act is bipartisan legislation that would authorize the issuance of bonds to finance grants and loans for research and health research in California. The act would be placed on the November 2026 ballot and could provide a source of state funding to help sustain research programs and educational pathways amid ongoing federal funding uncertainty.
SB 895 has been described in different sources as authorizing bonds in the amount of $12 billion and, in other reports, $23 billion. The legislation would use general‑obligation bonds to provide capital for research projects and health‑related studies. If approved, the bond act would create a new funding stream that could offset the loss of federal dollars for programs such as UCLA’s Veterans in STEM.
The commentary notes that the Veterans in STEM program is one of several initiatives at UCLA that rely on federal research grants. When those grants are reduced or suspended, the program’s ability to offer research experience and mentorship to veteran students is compromised. The authors argue that state support through the bond act would help maintain the program’s operations and ensure that veteran students continue to receive the training and professional development they need to enter STEM careers.
The bond act’s potential impact is significant because it would provide a stable source of funding for research across California’s universities and health research institutions. By creating a dedicated pool of capital, the act could help universities like UCLA maintain programs that support veterans, address research gaps, and keep California competitive in scientific innovation.
The authors of the commentary call on California voters to support the bond act, emphasizing that the legislation would help sustain research programs and educational pathways that are currently vulnerable to federal funding cuts. They also highlight the broader issue of how federal budget decisions affect university programs that serve veterans and other underserved populations.
In summary, federal research funding cuts are threatening UCLA’s Veterans in STEM program, a key resource for veteran students pursuing STEM careers. The proposed Science and Health Research Bond Act offers a potential state‑level solution that could provide the necessary funding to keep such programs operational and ensure that veteran students have access to research experience, mentorship, and professional development.
