Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al. v. National Institutes of Health

On Feb. 19, 2025, Public Rights Project and jurisdictions from across the country filed an amicus brief in federal district court, supporting requests to block the Trump administration’s proposed funding cuts by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The cities of Boston, Mass., Cleveland, Ohio, Gainesville, Fla., Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tenn., led the effort for  the brief. 

On February 7, NIH announced an immediate funding reduction for scientific and medical research institutions across the country. In response, 22 states and associations of medical schools, hospitals, and universities filed three cases in opposition last week. A temporary restraining order was granted, preventing the Trump administration from making the cuts.

Our amicus brief reiterates points made by the 22 states about the unlawful nature of the funding cuts. It also discusses the risk of undermining critical medical and scientific research on cancer, diabetes, and heart disease while also threatening the leadership of U.S. cities and counties in scientific progress. The brief argues that funding helps support major centers of employment and economic activity as well. Drawing on their local expertise, the coalition of 45 mayors, cities, and counties provided further context about the severe impact funding cuts could have if approved.

Update:
On March 5, 2025, the court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, preventing the Trump administration and NIH from cutting funds for medical and public health research across the country. Public Rights Project’s brief is cited in the court decision.

On June 16, 2025, Public Rights Project filed an amicus brief on behalf of 73 cities, counties, and local government leaders. The brief challenges the NIH’s attempts to change the funding formula for medical and other scientific research. 

Based on the expertise of local government officials, the brief explains the important role that hospitals and universities play to the life science ecosystem in their cities. For example, John Hopkins University in Baltimore is a world-class institution that conducts more than 600 ongoing clinical trials in cancer, pediatrics, heart and vascular studies and the aging brain. 

The brief further details how the cuts will cause irreparable harm to communities, including the loss of jobs and reduced capacity for life-saving medical and scientific research. 

The brief also explains that funding cuts would undermine the private science and medicine industries, which cities have worked hard to cultivate. We argue that the degradation of a research community will lessen real estate values, lower tax revenues, and diminish the identity of communities.

Read the brief.