America’s National Science Foundation tells DEI, misinfo studies: You’re fired
The National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States is taking a hard stance against funding for research on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as well as studies on misinformation. Under directives aligned with the Trump administration, the NSF has started cancelling grants that don’t meet its new funding criteria, which emphasises traditional scientific progress and national impact over social equity considerations.
Key Points
- NSF cancels grants focusing on DEI and misinformation research, aligning with Trump administration policies.
- Two criteria are prioritised for funding: advancing new knowledge and having a meaningful national impact.
- Projects focusing on DEI, despite their significance, find it difficult to secure funding under current priorities.
- Research on misinformation is deprioritised to uphold “free speech” rights.
- The NSF aims to maintain projects that promote participation without excluding any groups based on certain characteristics.
Why should I read this?
This article dives into the NSF’s radical shift in funding strategy that could redefine the future of scientific research in the US. If you’re interested in how political tides can influence essential social research areas like DEI and misinformation, this summary gives you the scoop without the fluff. Definitely worth a read if you care about the direction of science funding and inclusivity in academia!