Multiple universities, including Cornell and Brown, have filed lawsuits against the Department of Energy (DOE) in response to significant cuts made to indirect costs associated with research grants. The DOE has introduced a new policy that caps these indirect costs at 15%, resulting in a reduction of approximately $405 million annually for American taxpayers. This move has sparked concerns among higher education institutions, as it directly impacts funding for critical energy research and advanced scientific projects. Several organizations, including the Association of American Universities and the American Council on Education, have voiced strong opposition to these cuts, emphasizing the potential detrimental effects on research and innovation.