LOS ANGELES — Scientists across the country have held rallies to do what they say is, “Stand up for Science” protesting proposed cuts in the National Institutes of Health new policy effecting medical research.

The proposal includes a cap on “indirect” or what are described as overhead costs to 15%, down from what has historically been as high as 50-60%. UCLA professor and clinical neuroscientist Katherine Karlsgodt says the proposed cuts are disconcerting and says they could have ramifications to scientific progress toward finding treatments for diseases.

Dr. Alex Balekian supports the proposed cuts because he says it will make research efforts more productive and free up more money for the research itself. Dr. Balekian has practiced medicine for 20 years and has spent a decade involved with a grant-funded study involving lung cancer.

On Wednesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from implementing proposed cuts to medical research funding. The pause is to allow for lawsuits to proceed. California and 21 other states have sued.