$15 Million in Grants for DEI Programs Cancelled at Three Universities

$15 Million in Grants for DEI Programs Cancelled at Three Universities

The U.S. Department of Education canceled $15 million in federal grants that were previously allocated for DEI programs at California State University Los Angeles, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

The grants were terminated as part of an administration initiative led by President Donald Trump to defund DEI programs, aligning with Trump's executive orders aiming to eliminate "dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.'"

At California State University Los Angeles, the grants supported the development of an "Equity and Social Justice Center."

Virginia Commonwealth University used the funds for programs that included workshops on "decolonizing the curriculum" and "becoming an antiracist educator."

The University of St. Thomas employed the grants for courses and workshops on DEI concepts, including a "cultural assessment" quiz on understanding "white privilege" and "systemic racism."

This cancellation is part of a larger policy shift under the Trump administration, redirecting federal funding away from divisive ideologies within education and aligns with the broader agenda to audit and potentially cancel contracts related to DEI across federal agencies.