The Trump administration is questioning researchers submitted abroad to US-funded researchers to ensure that the project does not include anti-American or diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) topics.
A questionnaire sent to Canadian and Australian researchers involved in US-funded projects asks if the research includes “DEI elements” or “environmental justice” or whether the institution works with “communists, socialists, or totalitarians.” According to In the documentation. Surveys arise from AN Executive Notes On February 6th, issued by the Trump administration, directs that all federally funded non-governmental organizations be reviewed and adjusted to “future funding decisions in US interests.”
“Can you make sure your agency isn’t working with you, or you have accusations or investigations of working with entities in terrorism watchlists, cartels, narco/traffickers, groups promoting large-scale migration over the past decade,” asks one question. Another project ensures that the project “takes appropriate steps to protect women and advocate against gender ideology.” Presidential Order On January 20th, the title was “Protecting Women from Extremism of Gender Ideology.”
Violation of these standards could end with the Trump administration withdrawing funds from researchers.
“Several agencies have sent surveys to reevaluate foreign aid in accordance with President Trump’s executive order,” White House assistant reporter Anna Kelly told the Daily Callenor News Foundation. “Foreign aid funded by American taxpayers should match American interests.”
The countries and number of researchers who received these surveys are not clear.
Researchers and academics responded quickly to the 29-question document, and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) press release “The Trump administration is undermining the integrity and independence of academic research conducted in Canada.”
“Our institutions and the federal government need to push back in this blatant attempt to interfere in academic research and trample on academic freedom in the most powerful way possible,” said David Robinson, executive director of CAUT, in the release. “The integrity and independence of research are necessary to protect the public interest. It is necessary to make it clear that there is no room for political interference in Canadian research.”
Caut is calling on the Canadian government to intervene and fund its own research so that it doesn’t have to comply with Trump’s demands.
“We cannot allow the government to direct research in this way,” Robinson said in the release. “In the face of the threat of the Trump administration, we need a manufactured solution from Canada. Ottawa needs to step up to ensure that critical research being threatened by the US is properly funded and supported.”
Caut had not received direct funding from the US or Canadian governments and was not asked to answer the survey, so the DCNF was notified by an organization’s spokesman.
US President Donald Trump will speak with reporters from Resolute Desk after signing an executive order to appoint a deputy manager for the Federal Aviation Administration at the White House’s Oval Office in Washington, DC on January 30, 2025. (Photo by Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Australian Academy of Sciences (AAS) has urged the Australian government to “actively and urgently engage with American counterparts to mitigate risks,” but also said it would “resist foreign interference.” According to To a press release from the organization. The US is Australia’s largest research partner, sending $386 million in Australian dollars, worth around $250 million, to the country in 2024 alone.
The US contribution to Australian science is equivalent to 43% of the funds the Australian government provides for research grants, according to the AAS. Approximately 40% of Australia’s physical science research and 25% of the country’s biomedical and clinical science research involve US collaborators. (Related: Exclusive: Medical School will push first to listen to “Clarion Call”)
The Trump administration has taken hammers to supporters of terrorism and DEI supporters and has revoked funds from Columbia University over protection of anti-Semitic protests. The administration also cut funds from the University of Pennsylvania to allow men to compete in women’s sports despite the president’s orders.
The AAS did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment.
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