California voters will decide in March 2028 whether to approve a $7.5 billion bond measure intended to establish a state-funded scientific research program similar to the National Institutes of Health. The proposal aims to support scientific and medical research at public institutions, including the University of California and California State University systems, amid concerns over reduced federal funding under the Trump administration.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday that places the bond on the ballot. Speaking at a bill signing ceremony on the Golden Gate Bridge, Newsom framed the initiative as a strategic investment to sustain California’s leadership in innovation and scientific breakthroughs. He emphasized the need to "double down" on research that underpins both the state’s and the nation’s economic strength.

The funding would support research targeting diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as efforts to address wildfire prevention, pandemics, and climate change mitigation. The program would operate with provisions designed to allow the state to recover some of its investments without hindering scientific progress.

The legislation, Senate Bill 895, was authored by Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco. Wiener described the bond as a significant move to protect scientific inquiry and maintain California’s role in global innovation. Initial proposals called for a $23 billion bond, but the figure was reduced first to $12 billion and then to the current $7.5 billion measure after negotiations among legislative leaders and the governor’s office. The timeline for the ballot placement was also extended to 2028, as lawmakers missed the deadline for inclusion in the upcoming November election.

The bill received backing from several major stakeholders, including the Union of American Physicians, the University of California system, and the United Auto Workers Region 6, which represents approximately 60,000 academic employees at UC campuses. UC President James B. Milliken welcomed the development, describing it as a "major achievement" for the state’s research community.

If approved by voters, the bond would provide significant new state funding to help ensure the continuation of scientific research and innovation in California, addressing gaps left by federal budget cuts.