Researchers reel as Trump administration moves quickly to cut funding and end DEI health programs ‘The work is hard enough to do as it is,’ said one advocate who urged scientists to push back

https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/27/trump-dei-executive-order-quick-nih-funding-cuts/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--xf55oG3ofcxgZx34EDS-O0GgigL8GHw36Mw2YZfpDyFS7TLsiZv4DyUuVm3BuDBijiWsrHE161e1Yu9BSO_BJUQ60Nw&_hsmi=344409238&utm_content=344409238&utm_source=hs_email Let’s start with DEI: On Tuesday last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to stop any federal programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Just two days later, scientist Naomi Lee received an email that the NIH was terminating the contract that provided funding for her work with students from underrepresented backgrounds. A team of STAT reporters write about the speed with which the new administration is enacting the order — and the effect such action may have on projects that incorporate the basic idea that more diverse research is more accurate research. https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/24/trump-restrictions-dei-communications-health-and-science-agencies-nih-cdc-fda/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--BARA-cjFRkotsOUiM6Fui0YgymnL_FDuDCgN_rZEwTQeceQGWH-QYp9ea62mZdHMZeqZ8QmIl3cWNDK9VVKGXmOjIOA&_hsmi=344409238&utm_content=344409238&utm_source=hs_email The full impact of that executive order is still unclear, partly because of the government freeze on most public communication through Feb. 1. But yesterday, the NIH clarified its restrictions on staff after the initial freeze unleashed confusion across the agency, STAT’s Sarah Owermohle reported in an exclusive story. Right now, NIH employees can start new work on mission-critical research and continue working on ongoing studies, but cannot publicly communicate about it. https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/27/nih-staff-restrictions-clinical-trials-research-purchasing-travel-eased-trump-freeze-chaos/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9yOpVQxOHpo2F2ATnNOxbMU3MJMY4YwWt3bhblrSH9hfLMkx1UmDtzCF-H395QvOiNhMNplUapbbQkaOloNe2Vk2bBaQ&_hsmi=344409238&utm_content=344409238&utm_source=hs_email