this post was submitted on 28 Oct 2025
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Python Foundation rejects $1.5M grant from NSF with "no-DEI" strings (www.theregister.com)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by brianpeiris@lemmy.ca to c/technology@lemmy.world
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National Science Foundation (NSF) had offered $1.5 million to address structural vulnerabilities in Python and the Python Package Index (PyPI), but the Foundation quickly became dispirited with the terms of the grant it would have to follow.

"These terms included affirming the statement that we 'do not, and will not during the term of this financial assistance award, operate any programs that advance or promote DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion], or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws,'" Crary noted. "This restriction would apply not only to the security work directly funded by the grant, but to any and all activity of the PSF as a whole."

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[–] Jason2357@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago

a) the wording makes it legally ambiguous what exactly would constitute violating the text. If it just said "comply with anti-discrimination laws," that would be one thing.

b) It applies to the whole organization, not just the group accepting and applying the grant, making it very challenging to meet the requirement.

c) Unlike just about any other grant, the funds can be clawed back in the future if something was violated. This is not normal for a grant, and puts the entire organization's existence in jeopardy if they suddenly find themselves owing millions of dollars that had already been spent.

It's very likely their legal council told them under no circumstances should they accept the terms.