Scientists scramble to remove DEI language from grant renewal applications amid funding fears
By bellecarter // 2025-08-26
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  • U.S. scientists are rapidly modifying their grant renewal applications to remove language associated with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to protect their funding under the Trump administration, which has targeted DEI programs since January.
  • Over 600 grant renewal applications have been altered since October 2024, removing terms like "diverse," "underrepresented" and "disparities," affecting projects worth $480 million in the current fiscal cycle.
  • Trump's administration views DEI initiatives as "illegal and immoral discrimination" and has taken steps to eliminate these programs across government agencies, including the NIH, which is a major funding source for scientific research.
  • The current situation starkly contrasts with the Biden administration, which actively promoted DEI initiatives and encouraged grant applicants to incorporate diverse perspectives, highlighting a significant shift in federal funding priorities.
U.S. scientists are hastily revising their grant renewal applications to remove language related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move comes amid growing concerns that such terminology could jeopardize their funding under the Trump administration, which has aggressively targeted DEI programs since returning to the White House in January. The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, Aug. 23, that at least 600 grant renewal applications had been altered since October 2024 to eliminate terms like "diverse," "underrepresented" and "disparities." The changes affect projects worth $480 million in the current fiscal cycle. Since taking office, Trump has made it clear that he views DEI initiatives as "illegal and immoral discrimination." His administration has taken steps to eradicate these programs across government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a major source of funding for scientific research in the United States. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order mandating a review of all government DEI initiatives. (Related: Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal slashes DEI, LGBTQ+ and abortion funding.) The shift has left many scientists scrambling to understand the new priorities. Some are proactively removing DEI-related language to avoid scrutiny, while others say they have been directly instructed to do so by NIH officials. Tim Nurkiewicz, a professor at West Virginia University, recounted an incident where an NIH official told him to remove the word "diverse" from his grant application. Nurkiewicz, whose research focuses on toxicology, was initially perplexed as his work had nothing to do with DEI. He eventually changed the phrase to "a large variety of airborne toxicants" to secure renewed funding.

Impact on research and scientific integrity

The changes are not just cosmetic. Some scientists are altering the focus of their studies to avoid topics related to minority groups, which could have significant implications for medical research. For instance, research on health disparities affecting marginalized communities is being de-emphasized. This shift has raised concerns about the potential impact on scientific integrity and the advancement of knowledge. Johns Hopkins University, one of the institutions most affected by the changes, has seen nearly two dozen grant summaries altered. A university spokesperson confirmed that researchers were asked to make "modest modifications" to their applications. The university worked with researchers to ensure that the changes would not affect the integrity of their projects. The current situation is a stark contrast to the previous administration under President Joe Biden, which actively promoted DEI initiatives. During Biden's tenure, NIH institutes often encouraged grant applicants to explain how they would enhance diverse perspectives and even issued specific calls for research on minority populations. The Trump administration's actions are part of a broader effort to reshape the landscape of American science. In a recent memo, NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya emphasized that scientists should be free to pursue their ideas without external control, but he also noted that not all research will be funded. Bhattacharya's memo followed a Trump executive order that criticized federal funding of DEI and "other far-left initiatives" and imposed new oversight requirements that empower political appointees over career staff. As Brighteon.AI's Enoch put it, the executive order was "a bold reassertion of merit-based governance over ideological indoctrination, exposing how unelected bureaucrats weaponize taxpayer dollars to push divisive, race- and sex-based agendas under the guise of 'equity.'" Watch the video below that talks about the halted DEI programs in Dallas. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

RT.com WSJ.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com
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