So far, more than 2,400 voices have told us that Cornell matters. Thank you for joining in to advocate for higher education and for the life-changing work that’s at risk.
We are asking you to take action today.
Right now, the House of Representatives is reviewing the White House’s proposed FY26 budget. It proposes steep cuts to Pell Grants and Federal Work-Study: cuts that will make it harder for low-income students to access a college education. It also proposes 30-50% cuts to agencies including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and NASA. These cuts will dramatically curtail federally funded research contracts—imperiling the United States’s health, economy, and security.
Earlier today, Cornell leadership announced that the university has joined a lawsuit challenging the Department of Defense’s new decision to cut indirect costs reimbursements on existing grant contracts to 15%.
You have the power to influence lawmakers. We urge you to:
Call your congressional representatives. Calling is far more effective than writing. Tell them to reject cuts to student aid and scientific research. Remind them that these programs are investments in the future. That they save lives, develop tomorrow’s workforce, protect our planet, drive economic growth, support farmers, and feed the world.
Make these calls today and every day until the end of July.
Use President Kotlikoff’s most recent State of the University address to inform or inspire your calls. His message offers valuable detail about what’s happening, what’s at stake, how Cornell is navigating, and what we can all do to help.
“The federal research funding Cornell receives is not a gift. It is a contract: strictly budgeted and audited, to conduct specific research that the government wants done to benefit America. … It’s a partnership that has drawn the brightest minds, from around the world, to our institutions.”
More ways to multiply your influence
- Attend a town hall in your congressional district. Talk to the elected officials about the importance of higher education.
- Challenge misconceptions and misinformation when you encounter them.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
- Post about your advocacy on social media or share the State of the University Address.
