A recent investigation by the watchdog group Do No Harm has revealed that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is actively allocating millions of dollars in grant funding to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of medicine. The report indicates that approximately $218 million in NCI grants are being directed towards supporting underrepresented groups, primarily racial minorities, to increase their presence in the cancer workforce.
Before President Donald Trump's administration, during the Biden era, around 3% of the NCI's annual grant funding was designated for institutions to hire more minority faculty members and scientists. This move has been criticized by some, including Republicans, who argue for a focus on meritocracy over DEI initiatives.
Despite recent efforts to cut DEI-related spending, certain grants at the NCI remain active under the Trump administration. Notably, two grants totaling over $10.5 million were awarded to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to support inclusive excellence initiatives and programs aimed at advancing the careers of racial minorities.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Chairman of Do No Harm, has raised concerns about the NCI's allocation of taxpayer funds towards promoting a politically motivated DEI agenda. Goldfarb emphasized that racial discrimination has no place in medicine and criticized the NCI for prioritizing 'underrepresented' groups, excluding Asian Americans, in its grant distribution.
Under President Joe Biden, the NCI's website featured numerous DEI-related programs, but following Trump's executive order to end DEI initiatives in the federal government, much of this content has been removed. Questions regarding the termination of active DEI grants and the status of the NCI's Equity Council, established in 2021, remain unanswered by the agency.
Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced significant cuts to DEI-related contracts, resulting in over $1 billion in taxpayer savings. These actions align with broader efforts to streamline government spending and prioritize merit-based programs over DEI initiatives.
