By Eniola Amadu
A U.S. federal judge has refused to block the President Donald Trump administration from terminating more than 1,600 research grants issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The NSF, widely regarded as the world’s leading funder of basic and cutting-edge science and engineering, had enjoyed bipartisan backing until Donald Trump’s second term.
The agency’s peer-review system has long been celebrated globally as the “gold standard” for research funding.
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Following Trump’s inauguration, a new “Department of Government Efficiency” (Doge), led by billionaire and Trump donor Elon Musk, was tasked with reshaping the NSF to fit what the administration called “changing priorities.”
Doge quickly introduced sweeping staff cuts, program reductions, and mass cancellations of grants, with a focus on projects mandated by Congress to boost diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Congress had championed DEI programs as a way to expand America’s innovation base by drawing talent from underrepresented communities, including women, minorities and people with disabilities.
In June, a coalition of professional and labour groups—including the American Association of Physics Teachers, Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network, the American Association of Colleges and Universities, and the United Auto Workers—filed suit to halt the cuts.
They argued that the government’s abrupt cancellation of grants was unlawful, “arbitrary and capricious,” and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the separation of powers, and due process.
However, the District Court in Washington, D.C., ruled against the scientists’ request for an injunction. The court said the plaintiffs had not demonstrated irreparable harm or a strong chance of success on their constitutional claims.
In response, the coalition expressed disappointment but vowed to continue the legal battle.
“The Trump-Vance administration acted unlawfully when it terminated these crucial grants. It attempted to usurp congressional authority by eliminating funding required by law. This case is not over,” it said.
Since its creation 75 years ago, the NSF has supported major breakthroughs including organ transplants, gene technology, artificial intelligence, the internet, smartphones, cybersecurity, American Sign Language, and hazard-warning systems for extreme weather.
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According to Grant Witness, a non-profit watchdog tracking federal science and health research, nearly 2,000 taxpayer-funded NSF grants have been cut under Trump.
About 420 of those have since been reinstated.
