The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced that the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) canceled 701 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants over the past two weeks. Among these was a grant for "Building Racial Equity in Marine Science." This announcement was shared in a post on X.
According to DOGE, the termination of these grants has resulted in savings of $203 million for the NSF, bringing total savings to over $325 million.
Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the NSF, addressed the agency's priorities on April 18, 2025. Panchanathan said that since its establishment in 1950, the NSF has worked to advance science and engineering to enhance national health, prosperity, welfare, and defense. The agency achieves this mission by investing in high-potential ideas and individuals across various fields of science. He emphasized that NSF’s priorities are shaped by its core mission, statutory requirements, and guidance from current administration policies.
DOGE announcement on X
| https://x.com/DOGE/status/1915899958974464017
An April 2025 Harvard-Harris Poll found that 69% of voters support "undertaking a full-scale effort to find and eliminate fraud and waste in government expenditures," while only 31% support slashing $1 trillion in federal spending. A majority also favor balancing the federal budget, reducing overall expenditures, and conducting a comprehensive review of current government spending.
DOGE is described as a federal agency focused on optimizing government spending, 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.
