Senate committee advances $23 billion science bond to shore up research funding

Senator Scott Wiener introduced SB 895, a bond measure proposing $23 billion for a new California Foundation for Science and Health Research to provide long‑term state support for university and institutional research programs.

Witnesses from the University of California and unionized researchers described federal funding declines and grant instability that have disrupted long‑term projects and the pipeline of trained researchers. "SB 8 95 can change this narrative," Dr. Hal Collard, UC San Francisco's vice chancellor for research, told the committee, saying the measure would help California retain research talent and support high‑impact projects.

Graduate students and early career researchers said federal program cuts have led to truncated grants and lost projects. Nicole Garrido, a PhD student at UC Berkeley, reported that her lab lost federal support for a five‑year project and nearly $500,000 of work when funding was cut and urged the committee to stabilize research funding.

Committee members praised the goal of retaining scientific capacity but raised questions about board governance, the potential for politicization of awards and the amount requested. Senator Stern and others sought assurances that the foundation's governance would protect scientific independence and prioritize basic research.

The committee moved SB 895 toward Appropriations with a recorded vote placing the item on call; sponsors and cosponsors said they would continue to refine board structure and programmatic safeguards.