Trump Administration Rescinds NIH’s DEI-Focused Scientific Integrity Policy
The Trump administration has taken steps to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by rescinding the agency’s Scientific Integrity Policy that was implemented during the final weeks of the Biden administration. The move marks a significant shift away from the previous administration’s emphasis on integrating DEI principles into the scientific process and research endeavors funded by the NIH.
The Biden-era Scientific Integrity Policy explicitly stated that DEI was an "integral" component of the entire scientific process. It directed the NIH’s chief scientist and top scientific integrity official to actively promote DEI initiatives throughout the agency. The policy also mandated agency-wide directives, requiring supervisors to support scientists and researchers who identify as asexual or intersex. NIH leadership was also instructed to consult with relevant offices when additional DEI expertise was deemed necessary.
In addition to the rescinded Scientific Integrity Policy, the Biden administration implemented other measures to incorporate DEI into scientific practices. One notable example was the requirement for scientists seeking to collaborate with the NIH to submit statements outlining their commitment to DEI, particularly when applying for grant funding for research projects.
According to Health and Human Services Department spokesperson Andrew Nixon, the Biden administration "weaponized NIH’s scientific integrity policy to inject harmful DEI and gender ideology into research." Nixon argued that rescinding the policy would "restore science to its golden standard and protect the integrity of science."
An HHS source revealed that during the Biden administration, a member of the NIH’s DEI office was included on every search committee for scientists and leadership positions. Furthermore, scientists submitting work to the NIH’s Board of Scientific Counselors, which oversees agency research, were also required to include a statement pledging their commitment to DEI.
The Biden administration also allocated funding to DEI-related grants. One such grant, amounting to approximately $165,000, focused on "queering the curriculum" for family medicine doctors to guide them in their treatment of transgender patients. Another project sought to utilize taxpayer funds from the NIH to educate nurses on the standards of care established by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
WPATH’s standards of care for transgender patients, which advocate for the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-reassignment surgery for minors, have faced global criticism and controversy. One particularly contentious aspect of WPATH’s guidelines is the inclusion of "enuch" as a valid gender identity. Several European countries, including the U.K., Sweden, and Finland, have taken steps to distance themselves from the treatment modalities recommended by WPATH.
Under the Biden administration, the NIH also invited DEI activist Ibram Kendi to speak with over 1,200 staff members about "anti-racism." In a summary of the 2022 speech, the NIH highlighted Kendi’s assertion that "policies are either racist or antiracist."
The Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Biden-era Scientific Integrity Policy aligns with other actions taken to eliminate DEI programs from the public and private sectors, which the administration views as a violation of civil rights.
In addition to dismantling DEI programs at the NIH, the Trump administration has also taken steps to reduce the agency’s workforce. Shortly after assuming office, the president implemented a funding cap for facilities and administrative fees associated with NIH research to free up resources for additional projects.
The Trump administration’s move to rescind the DEI-focused Scientific Integrity Policy is likely to spark debate and controversy, with supporters arguing that it will restore scientific integrity and opponents contending that it will undermine efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the scientific community. The policy change represents a significant departure from the Biden administration’s approach to DEI and is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the NIH and the broader scientific landscape.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back DEI initiatives across various government agencies and sectors. Critics of DEI programs argue that they can lead to reverse discrimination and prioritize certain groups over others, while proponents maintain that they are essential for creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
