The NSF has recently announced a freeze on funding as the agency is beginning a search through all currently awarded grants to find those that may have been banned by recent executive orders. The freeze on funding has since been lifted, but the move is unprecedented by the NSF – the agency has never previously engaged in a top-to-bottom review of this nature.
The topics being banned that are at contest are those identified by the Trump administration as being “woke gender ideology.” They include bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics and green new deal topics, though the definitions of these have been rather vague. This could mean that banned activities include efforts to increase diversity in the scientific workforce, collaborations with foreign scientists, and research on more environmentally friendly technologies.
The NSF could have a hard time if it tries to legally terminate grants, because the grant funding is appropriated by Congress, meaning they are protected by law. However, researchers are left wondering if they will have to stop their research or even return the money to the agency.
