Colleagues,
I am writing to share information about Senate Bill 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act, and to encourage faculty and staff to learn more about this important measure and consider ways to support it.
SB 895 is a critical, UC-sponsored proposal that would place a $12 billion research bond on the November 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, it would create a long-term source of support for scientific and health research across California, helping sustain discovery and innovation at a time of significant uncertainty for the nation’s federally funded research enterprise.
Over the past year and a half, the University of California and its campuses have faced mounting federal actions that threaten the stability of research funding, including efforts to cut, freeze or delay support for medical and scientific research. While some of these actions have been challenged in court, the outlook for federal research funding remains uncertain. That uncertainty places at risk not only research programs, but also the students, employees, patients and communities who benefit from them.
At UC San Diego, research is foundational to who we are and what we contribute to the public good. Our faculty, staff and students advance solutions that matter deeply to California and the world — from treatments for strokes and cancer to earthquake safety research and wildfire resilience. This work improves lives, supports jobs, drives economic growth and strengthens California’s position as a global leader in innovation.
SB 895 would help California respond to this moment by establishing a dedicated funding source for research. It represents an opportunity to protect and extend the work that has made the University of California one of the world’s great engines of discovery. The benefits of this research reach far beyond our campuses and medical centers, touching communities across California and improving lives around the world.
The bill is currently under consideration in the State Assembly, and the timeline is extremely short. The Legislature must act by June 25 for SB 895 to advance, making this a particularly important moment for faculty and staff who wish to engage. With the deadline fast approaching, your timely outreach and advocacy are essential to help ensure lawmakers understand the importance of this measure.
