Amid negotiations in Washington to year end avoid budget cuts and tax hikes, universities are lobbying against grant reductions.
The University of Kansas is making arguments through its own lobbyist, who says research grants are vulnerable at a time like this.
Jack Cline worries about the potential 8.4 percent budget cut that a fall over the cliff , would mean to all agencies that issue university research projects money.
Cline is among arm twisters, trying to keep higher education from hard hits and talking with members of Congress.
"Sharing with them specific details, how many jobs would be lose as result of sequestration, the impact on students and student financial aid, the impact that would happen outside of the University in the businesses that are supporting the university community,” says Cline
More than 150 university presidents and chancellors have written to the Obama administration and members of Congress asking for even-handed reductions.