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Federal Grant and Loan Freeze Puts Science in Jeopardy

The mission of Scientist Rebellion includes an intention to transform academic and scientific institutions into centers of resistance, and to counter misinformation. The grant and loan freeze declared by the new federal administration in the US is apparently attempting to suppress the ability of scientists to speak the truth.

Language of the Grant and Loan Freeze

On Monday, January 27, the acting Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum with the following language:

First page of the memorandum from the OMB on the grant and loan freeze.

“… to the extent permissible under applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the [Presidential] executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.

This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities.”

Cornell on Fire group sits in front of blindfolded AD White statue, with signs that include "the Science is Clear" "Don't Look Away" "Don't Muzzle Us" and "Declare Climate Emergency", as they prepare to meditate. December 2024
Cornell on Fire group sits in front of blindfolded AD White statue, with signs that include “the Science is Clear” “Don’t Look Away” “Don’t Muzzle Us” and “Declare Climate Emergency”, as they prepare to meditate. December 2024
Science Agencies Disrupted by Grant and Loan Freeze

Following Monday’s announcement of the grant and loan freeze, the National Science Foundation canceled dozens of review panels Monday for research grant applications, potentially disrupting research and education across the country.  The National Institutes of Health – representing $47 billion in annual research-related spending – has abruptly halted reviews of research grants and frozen hiring, alarming scientists and clinical researchers.  On Tuesday afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has suspended all disbursements pending the requested review and analysis. This could potentially affect the agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan program, as well as grant programs related to air pollution, children’s health and competitive grant funding through the Office of Land and Emergency Management.

The immediate effects of the grant and loan freeze memo in our communities included widespread confusion and concern about exactly what the government will continue to fund, and fear about the long term consequences for science and society that such an an upending of the Constitutional order of spending power might present. 

“This order is a potential five-alarm fire for nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve,” Diane Yentel, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, said in a statement. “From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting food assistance, safety from domestic violence, and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives.”
~ The Hill

Grant and Loan Freeze Blocked for Now

Federal District Court Judge Loren AliKhan halted implementation of the freeze just before it was to go into effect at 5:00 pm Eastern time on Tuesday. The halt is intended to allow time for pending legal action against the OMB directive to work through the system and will expire on February 3.


Many of us at Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island depend on federal funding to support our institutions and labs, and any delay in disbursement can cost a scientist their career. A White House spokesperson ensured the press at Monday’s briefing that “individual Americans would not be impacted” by the demand from the OMB. However, we have clearly been impacted, perhaps not financially (yet), by the action taken by the unelected and temporary head of the OMB which looks very much like attempting to wrest the “power of the purse” from Congress – a blatantly unconstitutional act. We’ll keep watching and let you know what we see!

You can call or write to your US representative and Senators to express your point of view on the grant and loan freeze, and to tell your stories. We would also love to hear from you in the comments below. You can learn more and join us or donate to support our work at srturtleisland.org today!


January 31 update:
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Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change - A guide for educators, communicators, and decision-makers. By the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Third Edition: September 2024. globalchange.gov

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