Uncovering Violations: How the NSF is Ensuring Compliance with Trump’s Research Grant Directives

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) recently reopened a website for distributing research grant funds to scientists. This decision came after a tumultuous week where NSF funding was halted, creating anxiety among researchers who rely on these resources.

This freeze included critical funding for postdoctoral positions and was part of a broader review prompted by directives from former President Trump aimed at eliminating support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal programs.

A federal judge’s ruling temporarily stopped the government from freezing these funds, but the NSF has announced it will continue its review process.

Julia Barnes, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Tennessee, expressed concern, stating that this instability makes the U.S. a challenging environment for scientists. She emphasized the dedication of researchers who may not earn much but are passionate about their work.

To shed light on the situation within the NSF, several anonymous staff members shared their frustrations about the recent funding freeze. “The whole situation has been confusing for everyone,” one employee noted.

The NSF declined to disclose details about the freeze, directing inquiries to their official website for information regarding Trump’s executive actions.

In his first days in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders targeting various policies, which included freezing federal grants. Although a temporary hold was placed on this freeze by a judge, the NSF still froze its funds and canceled grant reviews.

Several states have since sued the federal government over this funding freeze, with judges questioning the legality of the administration’s actions. The uncertainty of the judges’ rulings adds to the anxiety surrounding these grants, as they are protected by law.

Since 1980, the NSF has been legally required to broaden participation for underrepresented groups in STEM fields. An NSF employee voiced the belief that the executive orders contradict these legal requirements.

While the NSF is reviewing around 10,000 flagged research grants, the specific criteria for examination remain unclear. Employees reported that grants are being evaluated for any language related to DEI, climate science, or other potentially contentious issues.

One staff member described the emotional toll of repeatedly seeing terms like “women” and “people of color” flagged as potential red flags in a review process. The NSF may take actions ranging from modifying to canceling these grants.

Despite the painful circumstances, some employees feel the NSF is attempting to comply with the new directives, which is a difficult position to be in given their commitment to scientific integrity.