Health Department Cuts $350 Million in Grants for Gender Ideology and DEI Research

FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken decisive action by canceling over $350 million worth of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. These cuts primarily affect projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as topics surrounding gender ideology, according to department officials.

The decision resulted in the elimination of more than 500 research grants that studied various aspects of DEI and progressive gender ideology. Notable projects that faced cuts include those examining multilevel and multidimensional structural racism, the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in mice, and the concept of microaggressions.

Details of the Funding Cuts

Among the terminated grants was one that allocated nearly $1 million for a project at the University of Maryland-Baltimore. This research aimed to assess intersectional multilevel structural racism for both English- and Spanish-speaking populations in the United States. The project’s goal was to develop a comprehensive Structural Racism Measure with the intent to eliminate health disparities among racial minorities.

The project’s description highlighted an urgent public health need to gather reliable data on structural racism, emphasizing that such information is crucial before effective interventions can be formulated.

Insights on Gender-Affirming Research

Several grants targeting transgender medical treatments in mice also faced cancellation. One significant cut involved nearly $1 million directed to Emory University for research on how transgender hormone treatments affect skeletal maturation in mice. This project was titled “Microbiome mediated effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in mice.” Additionally, a grant worth approximately $50,000 focused on examining how chromosomal makeup and cross-sex hormone administration influence wound healing in mouse models.

Another notable project, which did not utilize animal models, sought nearly $1 million to explore potential genomic associations with gender identity.

Impact on Diversity-Focused Grants

Under the former administration, grants aimed at promoting racial and ethnic diversity within scientific research faced similar fates. A $5 million grant intended for researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center aimed to enhance racial and ethnic diversity among research faculty. This initiative included a commitment to hire at least 18 tenure-track faculty members from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups.

Background on Funding Freeze

Shortly after President Donald Trump took office, he instructed federal agencies, including HHS, to implement a temporary freeze on issuing new federal grants. This measure aimed to ensure compliance with the administration’s policies, which included a focus on reducing DEI initiatives and progressive gender ideology within the public sector.

A temporary court order blocked the administration’s funding freeze, prompting a swift retraction of the directive by the Trump administration. Consequently, the NIH resumed crucial meetings and travel necessary for the grant-review process.

Administration’s Broader Strategy on Research Funding

In addition to revising NIH’s grant allocations, the Trump administration imposed a 15% cap on facilities and administrative costs associated with research grant awards. This strategic move aimed to tighten fund distribution and ensure that financial resources were allocated more efficiently.

Reactions to Funding Cancellations

The aggressive cuts to NIH research funding have sparked widespread criticism. Recently, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, selected as the next NIH director, faced intense scrutiny from Democrats during his confirmation hearing. Lawmakers questioned whether he would intervene to protect what they consider vital research projects impacted by the funding cuts.

While Dr. Bhattacharya refrained from explicitly opposing the funding reductions, he indicated a commitment to upholding the law and assessing the consequences of the cuts. He expressed the importance of guaranteeing that NIH researchers have adequate resources to conduct their work aimed at improving public health outcomes.

A Vision for the Future of NIH Research

Dr. Bhattacharya also outlined his vision for a decentralized approach to future NIH research. He emphasized the need to foster dissenting ideas and promote transparency within the agency. His focus lies in prioritizing research topics that are most likely to yield direct benefits to the health of Americans. In doing so, he aims to eliminate what he perceives as frivolous projects that offer minimal contributions to public health.

The removal of funding for certain DEI and gender ideology research projects reveals a significant shift in the federal research agenda. As the HHS moves forward, the implications of these funding cuts will likely spark ongoing discussions within the scientific community and among policymakers.