National Cancer Institute spends hundreds of millions to promote DEI, watchdog finds

A new report from the watchdog group Do No Harm has shed light on the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) allocation of $218 million in grants aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the cancer workforce. The NCI has been actively dispersing these funds to institutions with the goal of boosting the number of racial minorities in the field of oncology.

Under the Biden administration, around 3% of the NCI’s annual grant funding was dedicated to hiring more faculty members and scientists from underrepresented groups, primarily racial minorities. However, with the recent pushback against DEI initiatives by President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, the future of these programs is uncertain.

Despite the efforts to cut back on DEI spending, two grants totaling over $10.5 million have been awarded to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to support inclusive hiring initiatives and programs designed to advance the careers of racial minorities. These grants specifically target the recruitment of scientists from underrepresented groups and include plans to address racism within the institution.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Chairman of Do No Harm, has criticized the NCI for promoting a politically motivated DEI agenda and using taxpayer money to fund discriminatory practices in medicine. He argues that racial discrimination has no place in the field of oncology and calls for an end to the prioritization of underrepresented groups in grant funding.

Following Trump’s executive order to halt DEI initiatives in the federal government, the NCI’s website has removed much of its content related to DEI programs. It remains to be seen whether the NCI will terminate any of its active grants promoting DEI hiring in response to this directive.

In addition to the NCI, other government agencies like the Department of Education have also seen significant cuts to DEI-related contracts under the direction of DOGE. These cuts are part of a broader effort to reduce government spending and prioritize meritocracy over diversity initiatives.

Despite the controversy surrounding DEI programs in medicine, the push for diversity and inclusion in the cancer workforce remains a complex and contentious issue. As the debate continues, it is essential to consider the long-term impact of these policies on the field of oncology and the patients it serves.