Top taxpayer-funded academy rife with DEI programs, hefty executive salaries
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has come under scrutiny for its handling of taxpayer funds, with reports revealing that the organization has received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding in recent years. According to the organization’s Treasurer’s Report, NASEM received $200,616,000 in taxpayer funding from grants and contracts in 2023, with 70% of its budget derived from federal funds.
The organization has also faced criticism for the hefty salaries paid to its top brass, with several top-level positions at NASEM earning salaries exceeding $1 million per year. National Academy of Medicine President Victor Dzau, National Academy of Engineering President John Anderson, and National Academies President Marcia McNutt each earn over $1 million annually. Additionally, NASEM’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, Laura Castillo-Page, earned $333,788 in 2023.
NASEM has used its federal funding to support various left-wing initiatives, including events promoting liberal causes such as climate change, racism, and health equity. The organization has organized events discussing topics like environmental injustice, structural racism, and spatial justice, and has issued reports recommending federal policies to improve racial, ethnic, and tribal health equity, as well as address racial discrimination in science, engineering, and mathematics organizations.
In response to criticism, a NASEM spokesperson stated that the organization conducts numerous studies, workshops, and activities at the request of federal and state agencies, Congress, foundations, and private-sector sponsors to address critical issues facing the nation. The spokesperson noted that 58% of NASEM’s funding came from the government in 2024 and emphasized the organization’s commitment to advancing the American economy, national security, global competitiveness, and health and safety.
NASEM’s spending practices have come under scrutiny amidst efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government. A recent executive order by former President Trump led NASEM to close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and remove DEI from its website. It remains to be seen how the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will impact NASEM’s operations moving forward.
As the debate over federal funding and DEI programs continues, NASEM’s handling of taxpayer funds and support for left-wing initiatives will likely remain a topic of discussion. The organization’s efforts to advise the government on critical issues and comply with executive orders will be closely monitored as it navigates changing political landscapes and priorities.
