NIH Terminates Research Grants for LGBTQ+, Gender Identity, and DEI Studies

As of late February 2025, dozens of active research grants related to LGBTQ+ issues, gender identity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Canceled grants included studies on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in older LGBTQ+ adults, as well as research into stress among that group.

The termination letters stated that the projects did not meet “agency priorities” and declared that “[r]esearch programs based on gender identity are often unscientific ... and do nothing to enhance the health of many Americans.” While NIH typically allows grant recipients to take corrective action before a grant is terminated, researchers were informed that "[n]o corrective action is possible here."

NIH institutes have also been ordered to review awards for new and ongoing projects for “DEI research activities or DEI language that give the perception that NIH funds can be used to support these activities.” Projects proposed for funding must be placed into one of four categories: category one: projects solely dedicated to DEI, which are automatically rejected; category two: projects that partially support DEI, which can only be funded if the “non-compliant” elements are removed; category three: projects that may not involve work on DEI but contain related language; or category four: projects unrelated to any DEI activities. Projects in categories three and four can receive grant awards if there is no DEI-related language in applications or progress reports.

Update 1: On June 9, 2025, the NIH rescinded the requirement that grantees affirm that their research does not include any “DEI activities.” 

Update 2: On June 10, the directive was reinstated.

Update 3: On June 13, 2025, Science reported that the NIH had flagged 3,200 grants for review and possible termination, in addition to the roughly 1,700 that had already been terminated.

Update 4: On June 16, 2025, a federal judge ordered the NIH to restore grants that had been cut based on gender ideology or “DEI,” saying that the administration’s actions "represent[] racial discrimination and discrimination against America's LGBTQ community."

Update 5: On June 24, 2025, a senior NIH official instructed agency employees to “not terminate any additional grant projects," including "all grant projects that are in the [queue] to be terminated.”