A class action lawsuit was filed Monday by the Authors Guild, along with independent scholars and writers, against the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and officials within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for terminating millions in committed grants from Congressional funds.
The lawsuit argues that these actions are a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, as the Constitution’s guarantees of the separation of powers and the freedom of expression, and that the actions taken exceed the congressionally granted authority of agencies. It seeks to stop the mass termination of grants, restore funds to the grantees, and require the government to operate the NEH in accordance with Congress’s intent “to honor and preserve its multicultural artistic heritage as well as support new ideas”, as outlined in the original legislation.
“To suddenly redirect congressionally-appropriated funds away from hundreds of scholars and creators midway through their projects—leaving them financially vulnerable and professionally compromised—isn’t just administratively questionable, it’s morally indefensible. Many recipients structured their entire lives around these commitments, forgoing other opportunities and making significant personal investments,” Ralph Eubanks, president of the Authors Guild, said in a statement.
Nicole D. Jenkins, who has a contract with Princeton University Press for her forthcoming ethnographic book, expressed personal losses in a statement: “I am scheduled to go up for tenure in February 2026, during the original grant period. The abrupt termination has significantly harmed my ability to complete this research, impacted my tenure timeline, and led to reputational, financial, and professional damage.”
The lawsuit was brought by the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Fairmark Partners, LLP on behalf of all individuals who were awarded grants that were unexpectedly canceled last month, including individual grantees under the Public Scholar, Fellowship, Summer Stipend, and other NEH programs.
The grants were canceled following following extreme cuts announced last month by DOGE under the Trump administration.
The NEH has awarded more than $6 billion in grants to museums, historical sites, universities, libraries, and related organizations since it was founded in 1965. Through its grants, the NEH has long supported a variety of creative initiatives and projects. The NEH was started under the same legislation as the National Endowment for the Arts, which offers offers financial assistance for projects, shows, and exhibitions that exude excellence.
Just last week, art directors and senior leaders at the NEH left the agency, while regional arts organizations across the United States spoke out against the recent cuts.
The Authors Guild is the latest to file suit, among others, include three humanities organizations that sued the NEH over its dismantling at the beginning of the month.
