Federal Agencies Admits Using Keywords to Screen Research Grants Amid Lawsuit
Federal agencies admitted to using keywords related to diversity, gender, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19 to screen and terminate thousands of research grants at the University of California, totaling nearly $2 billion. This admission is part of a lawsuit filed by…
San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, July 23, 2026 —
Federal agencies have acknowledged using specific keywords, including those related to diversity, gender, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19, to screen and ultimately terminate thousands of research grants awarded to the University of California. These grants represent a substantial financial commitment, totaling nearly $2 billion.
This admission comes as part of a legal challenge initiated by University of California researchers. The lawsuit, filed against the Trump administration, asserts that the screening and termination of these grants constitute unconstitutional violations. Among the alleged infringements are violations of the First Amendment.
The researchers involved are contending that the keyword-based screening process unfairly targeted certain areas of study and potentially infringed upon academic freedom and freedom of speech. The total value of the affected grants, amounting to close to $2 billion, highlights the significant impact of this federal action on research activities at the University of California.
A court hearing has been scheduled to address the ongoing legal proceedings. The central question for the court will be whether the case can move forward to a trial or if it can be resolved based on the current filings. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for federal oversight of research funding and the protection of academic liberties.
The specific details regarding the exact number of grants terminated, the precise timeline of the keyword usage, and the particular federal agencies involved beyond a general reference to federal agencies and the Trump administration were not provided in the available information. Furthermore, the specific nature of the alleged First Amendment infringements and the exact arguments put forth by the UC researchers and the federal agencies are part of the ongoing legal process.
Story summarized from the original created by Gilare Zada on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.
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