In brief
The Trump administration's new executive order is causing widespread changes to D.E.I. efforts in various scientific fields, including NASA and national laboratories, as projects related to diversity are being halted or removed.
In a move that is reshaping the scientific research landscape across the United States, the Trump administration has invoked an executive order that dramatically alters the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), a longstanding independent agency dedicated to reporting on a diverse array of subjects, has been caught in the crossfire of this shift, with significant changes instituted after receiving an abrupt “stop work” order on January 31.The Academy swiftly closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, deleted key links to its D.E.I. initiatives from its website, and put a hold on related projects. The emphasis on D.E.I. has been supplanted with a focus on artificial intelligence and economic growth on the Academy's homepage.These restrictions are being felt across federal scientific institutions. NASA has eliminated inclusivity requirements from various programs, while the National Institutes of Health has stopped applications for its new Environmental Justice Scholars Program. Furthermore, national laboratories under the Department of Energy removed webpages that previously showcased their commitments to diversity and have ceased promoting equitable research initiatives. Despite inquiries, these federal agencies have not provided comments regarding these sweeping changes.Organizations had previously initiated D.E.I. programs to address long-standing disparities in minority representation within the sciences. A report from 2021 indicated that women constituted only 35 percent of STEM employees, with Black individuals making up just 9 percent, and Indigenous people representing less than 1 percent.
