NSF Cancels $1B+ in Grants, Leaving US Research in Turmoil
2025-09-19
A US court upheld the National Science Foundation's (NSF) cancellation of over 1,700 research grants totaling more than $1 billion. While the court rejected a request to reinstate the grants, it allowed challenges to the NSF's new grantmaking policy. The cancellations, largely affecting grants tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, have sparked outrage. The NSF cited a need to avoid prioritizing certain groups. The decision has severely disrupted the US research ecosystem, halting projects and jeopardizing graduate students' employment. A French university's offer of refuge to affected US researchers highlights the international impact of this controversial move.
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