Responses to the Trump Administration

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Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense

Filed on behalf of
U.S. universities and higher education associations
In response to the Trump administration's efforts to
Case Number
1:25-CV-11740
View Docket
View Appellate Docket
Filed
June 16, 2025
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Relief Outcomes
Temporary Restraining Order
Granted
Preliminary Injunction
Granted
Summary
A coalition of U.S. universities and higher education associations have sued the Trump administration for significantly reducing funds for indirect costs associated with DOD-sponsored research projects. The plaintiffs argue that the DOD's actions violated multiple provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and federal cost regulations. They alleged that this shift was arbitrary and capricious, exceeded the agency's statutory authority, and violated governing regulations by retroactively altering or terminating existing grant agreements.
Plaintiffs
Association of American Universities American Council on Education Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Arizona State University Brown University California Institute of Technology University of California Colorado State University Cornell University University of Illinois John Hopkins University University of Maryland, College Park Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Pittsburgh University of Washington
Plaintiffs' Counsel
Jenner & Block LLP Clement & Murphy, PLLC Maryland Attorney General Washington Attorney General Colorado Attorney General
Defendants
Secretary Peter B. Hegseth U.S. Department of Defense

Documents

Motion for Summary Judgment
Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense - Motion for Summary Judgment
July 28, 2025