HHS Cuts Over $330 Million in DEI and Gender Research Grants in California

HHS Eliminates Substantial Funding for DEI and Gender Studies in California

FIRST ON FOX: Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services has taken a decisive step by terminating more than $330 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health. These funds, primarily associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as well as gender-related research, were directed towards institutions in California. Fox News Digital uncovered these significant cuts on Thursday.

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated, “HHS terminated more than $330 million in wasteful research funding to organizations in California that is not aligned with NIH and HHS priorities.” He emphasized that the canceled grants were not focused on issues crucial to public health.

Nixon continued, “The terminated research grants are simply wasteful in studying things that do not pertain to American’s health to any significant degree, including DEI and gender ideology. As we begin to Make America Healthy Again, it’s important to prioritize research that directly affects the health of Americans.” This statement indicates a clear shift in funding priorities.

Overview of Terminated Grants

Fox News Digital reviewed the terminated grants, which were predominantly linked to DEI initiatives and gender-specific issues. A large portion of this funding was allocated to colleges and universities within the California public education system. Notable recipients included the University of California, San Francisco, and UCLA, alongside a variety of private colleges and research institutions throughout the state.

Examples of Terminated Research

Among the terminated grants was a significant $5,122,427 allocation awarded to the Center for Innovative Public Health Research for a project aimed at reducing HIV incidence among adolescent males through text messaging. This highlights how federal funds were previously used for innovative health interventions.

Another project, which received $3,692,048, intended to explore the effects of sex hormones on neurodevelopment through controlled puberty processes in transgender adolescents at Stanford University. This shows the scope of research previously funded under NIH grants.

Further scrutiny revealed more canceled projects, such as a $1,319,024 award for adapting a teen pregnancy prevention program for transgender boys, and a $2,554,402 grant from the University of California, San Francisco. This latter grant focused on investigating the impacts of structural racism on health inequities among older men, illustrating the diverse range of DEI-related studies previously supported.

In total, 61 NIH research grants tailored towards gender and DEI subject areas in California have been eliminated. This sweeping action sends a clear message regarding the administration’s stance on issues that have received significant federal funding in the past.

Context of the Grant Cancellations

The announcement of these grant cancellations coincides with a broader movement initiated by President Donald Trump, who signed several executive orders aiming to dismantle DEI initiatives across federal agencies. This administration’s actions mark a notable shift from the policies previously established under President Joe Biden.

During his inauguration, Trump voiced his administration’s commitment to abolishing such programs, which he termed radical and wasteful. By emphasizing a return to merit-based opportunities, the administration aims to reshape how federal funding is distributed, moving away from DEI practices.

Impact on Future Research Funding

The repercussions of these drastic cuts will likely ripple through the academic and research communities, particularly in California. Faculty and administrators at impacted universities may face challenges in seeking alternative funding sources for their research aimed at addressing societal issues related to health equity and gender studies.

Federal agencies have already invested considerable effort in eliminating DEI-related offices and initiatives as part of adhering to the president’s directives. As observed, HHS has acts decisively to end various NIH research grants that overlap with themes of gender and diversity. This includes studies examining concepts such as multilevel structural racism, gender-affirming hormone therapies in preclinical models, and the examination of microaggressions.

Looking Ahead

The future landscape of health-related research funding may evolve significantly as a result of these changes. With the federal government pivoting to prioritize health research aligned with traditional public health goals, the fate of numerous DEI and gender-focused studies now hangs in the balance.

In the pursuit of a healthy America, it remains to be seen how these funding cuts will impact researchers and organizations involved in DEI-derived projects. The conversation surrounding health, equity, and inclusion will undoubtedly continue, but the financial support for these efforts may diminish dramatically.

Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.