The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced the cancellation of $25 million in grants deemed 'wasteful,' with an expected $15 million in new savings. The announcement was made on the social media platform X on April 3.
According to DOGE, among the affected grants was $265,000 awarded to Queens College in New York for research into why Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) teens read Japanese comic books. Additionally, the University of Tennessee had been allocated $400,000 to study metadata related to LGBTQ+ library users. The University of South Carolina was set to receive $140,000 to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals in libraries. Furthermore, the California Association of Museums had been awarded $105,000 to address systemic racism in museums.
Other canceled grants include $250,000 intended for installing "LGBTQ+ historical markers" across Ohio. The California State Library had received $6.7 million aimed at enhancing equitable library programs, while the Connecticut State Library system was allocated $1.5 million to integrate social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion into everyday library operations.
Cancelation of $25M in wasteful DEI grants
| https://x.com/DOGE/status/1907811517623324906
The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced via a post on X that "the era of using your taxpayer dollars to fund DEI grants is OVER."
DOGE is a federal agency focused on optimizing government spending by reducing waste and ensuring accountability in contract management. By reviewing expenditures and canceling non-essential contracts, DOGE aims to improve fiscal responsibility and enhance the effectiveness of public resource allocation.
