UMass' Caret: "Fiscal cliff" would hurt research

BOSTON (AP) - University of Massachusetts President Robert Caret is warningthat the university system could lose nearly $32 million in federal researchdollars next year if the country heads over the so-called "fiscal cliff."

Caret cautioned members of the university's board of trustees Wednesdayabout the consequences if Congress and President Obama fail to reach a deal toavert automatic cuts to defense and domestic programs.

Caret said federal agencies that finance the university's research -including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation- could lose more than 8 percent of their funding.

Caret said that would make it harder for the university to pay for criticalscientific research.

Caret said the failure to reach an agreement on the fiscal cliff could alsoaffect some financial aid programs.

Cox Media Group