The recent executive order by former President Donald Trump, aimed at curbing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federally funded programs, has raised significant concerns among the academic research community. At the heart of the issue is the fear of how this could impact the funding and future of vital research projects.
Kendra Dahmer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, is feeling the heat. With her current focus on intestinal parasites in India and Benin funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant, she now faces uncertainty. Originally set to continue until the summer of 2026, the funding for her research, intertwined with DEI objectives, is now in potential jeopardy.
Her situation mirrors the predicament faced by many in the scientific community who have benefited from diversity-based funding. Dahmer articulates the broader concern: “There’s also this aspect of research that funds specific studies in specific populations that are now being deemed DEI,” she said. Research areas traditionally supported due to their critical nature, such as HIV and malaria studies in economically disadvantaged regions, could be severely impacted.
This trepidation was exacerbated when, following the signing of the order on January 21, there was an immediate call from the White House for a freeze and review of all federal grants. Although two legal interventions managed to halt the freeze, the apprehension among researchers remains palpable. The ongoing review by institutions like the NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF) only adds to the anxiety, as the future of existing and new grants hangs in the balance.
Universities, beneficiaries of nearly $60 billion in research funding in the 2023 fiscal year, are cautiously observing the evolving situation. Many are still deciphering the potential impacts of the executive order on institutional research policies, particularly those supporting underrepresented communities.
Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, raised alarms over projects already being paused. These include studies on artificial intelligence examining racial biases and research on health equity targeting underserved populations. The uncertainty could stifle critical initiatives aimed at addressing ingrained societal inequities.
Beyond the immediate academic landscape, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are acutely vulnerable. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, striving for R1 status—a research classification denoting high activity—is particularly at risk. Joseph Graves, a biology professor at the university, underscores the financial challenges already endured, with inadequate facilities hampering student research.
The executive order's broader implications could threaten federally funded fellowships crucial for students in these minority-serving institutions. Such fellowships are often the key to enabling minority students to engage in scientific research that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
The intertwining of academia with federal funding underscores the potential long-term consequences of the executive order. Its impact could resonate across the reach of American science, threatening to redefine the priorities and opportunities for future research.