SDFA Advocacy for CA Science Funding

 

SB895, the bond act to establish a California Foundation for Science and Health Research, was introduced into the CA state legislature in January 2026 and if passed, will be placed on the November 2026 ballot. Given the continuing attacks on U.S. science and universities, this could be an impactful way to help support research including biomedical, health disparities, environmental, and clean energy research that benefits all Californians.

 

The SDFA SOS Working Group (Save Our System, Science, Students) has been busy working with allies from CUCFA, other UC campus faculty associations, and UAW to advance CA SB895 through the state legislature. We met with State Senator, Catherine Blakespeare who represents the district that includes UC San Diego, and she agreed to become a cosponsor of the bill. We also worked with concerned faculty to garner support for the bill: 430+ UC San Diego faculty signed a support letter, spread the word to their colleagues and trainees, and contacted their state representatives. We also spoke with hundreds of community members about the bill at the San Diego Festival for Science and Engineering. 

If you haven’t yet, please sign the support letter, spread the word to family and friends and urge them to sign the community petition, and contact your state representatives to help the bill pass in the California Senate and Assembly.