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FIRST ON FOX: A dedicated watchdog group is raising concerns about the National Cancer Institute’s spending habits. According to findings by the nonprofit organization Do No Harm, the NCI invests substantial grant money each year to enhance diversity within the cancer workforce.
This analysis reveals that the NCI disperses approximately $218 million annually in grants aimed specifically at what it terms ‘underrepresented’ groups, primarily focusing on racial minorities. Prior to the Trump administration, around 3% of the NCI’s total funding was allocated to support institutions in hiring faculty and researchers from minority backgrounds.
The disclosure occurs as prominent figures, including Elon Musk, take measures to cut government funding linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Trump and several Republican leaders have recently intensified their criticism of DEI policies, advocating for a focus on merit-based systems in public programs.
Active NCI DEI grants, still in place during Trump’s presidency, include two significant awards exceeding $10.5 million, granted to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These funds bolster hiring programs that promote ‘inclusive excellence’ and career advancement for racial minorities in medical research.
The detailed descriptions of these grants specify the recruitment of 12 scientists from ‘underrepresented groups.’ Furthermore, one grant emphasizes modifying the Mount Sinai Health System’s strategies to enhance inclusiveness within its workforce.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Chairman of Do No Harm, expressed his views in a statement to Fox News Digital. He contended that the NCI needs to discontinue what he perceives as a politically driven DEI agenda.
“The National Cancer Institute has been taking advantage of taxpayers to push a DEI agenda on the medical field,” Goldfarb asserted. He emphasized that the NCI devotes $218 million yearly to grants favoring ‘underrepresented’ individuals in medicine—primarily defined as anyone from a racial minority group, with the exception of Asian Americans. Goldfarb firmly stated that taxpayer dollars should not facilitate racial discrimination in medicine.
During President Joe Biden’s administration, the NCI’s website featured various statements supporting DEI-related programs. However, much of this content diminished following Trump’s executive order that mandated an end to DEI considerations in the federal government. Fox News Digital reached out to the NCI to clarify whether there are plans to cease any active DEI-focused grants but did not receive a response prior to publication.
In addition, inquiries concerning the NCI’s Equity Council, established in 2021 under the Biden administration, also went unanswered. The council serves as a steering committee overseeing the NCI’s equity and inclusion ventures.
Claims from DOGE suggest that it has already curtailed hundreds of millions in taxpayer-funded DEI contracts, including a notable reduction of $350 million from the Department of Education.
Last month, DOGE announced that taxpayers stood to benefit from over $1 billion in savings following the cancellation of 104 DEI-related contracts.
As the debate surrounding diversity in funding initiatives continues, the long-term impact of such allocations by the NCI remains uncertain. Stakeholders in the medical and research communities are encouraged to engage in ongoing discussions about the role of diversity, equity, and meritocracy in shaping the future of cancer research funding.
While opinions diverge on the necessity of DEI initiatives, one fact stands clear. The allocation of government grants like those from the NCI will continue to stir discussions about fairness, representation, and accountability in public health and medical research.
