The CSUN Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has taken significant hits in grant terminations following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The action called for the dismantling of all activities related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in the federal government.

Executive Order 14151, referred to as Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing by the administration, claims that DEIA initiatives and mandates were forced upon the government, calling them “illegal and immoral discrimination practices.” The order also included slashing environmental justice offices and positions.

College campuses were heavily impacted, with financial aid and grants targeted, as well as university officials stepping down due to federal pressure and refusal to abolish DEIA programs.

DEIA, or DEI, refers to the structure where different backgrounds are fairly represented and have equal opportunities “regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religious beliefs.” They aim to counteract existing systems of discrimination in society.

According to OUR Director Gabriela Chavira, one of OUR’s most substantial blows came when a $3.4 million Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) National Science Foundation (NSF) grant was cut. The NSF grant was labeled as DEI and was abruptly terminated. However, Chavira asserts that the resources and positions offered through the grant were open to anyone and not restricted to any demographic.

“In our grant proposal, we said that this will support students from diverse communities because we are a Hispanic Serving Institution,” said Chavira. “But of course it helps non-Latino students. It wasn’t targeting a specific group; it was for all undergraduate students in STEM.”

After they were notified of the grant termination, they were forced to immediately stop working that same day. Students who were employed under the grant were told that they could no longer work, just two weeks before spring semester finals.

The executive order was one of the first signed on Trump’s first day of office, though it has been met with legal setbacks. A federal judge from Illinois halted key parts of the order back in April, including requiring the Department of Labor to provide certifications from federal contractors and grantees that they do not hold or run DEIA programs.

The NSF grant allowed students to work as research assistants through the Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research (PODER) program. The program offers paid research opportunities to grant holders and eligible Federal Work-Study (FWS) students.

The grant paid for the majority of STEM students in the program, leaving many spots open for FWS students. Now, without the grant, students can only participate in PODER if they are eligible for a federal work-study. This results in a decrease of available spots for student research in OUR.

Although some students are willing to do research for free, Chavira said that she wants to pay them and does not offer unpaid positions. More than 18 grants have been terminated so far.

The SECURE for Student Success (SFS2) program was also impacted by grant terminations. They were able to get a no-cost extension, though they have until the end of the fiscal year to wrap up their objectives. SFS2 relies on saved money with no additional funds, which is a significant drop in funding compared to past years.

In order to ensure students are able to continue getting research experience, SFS2 is looking to collaborate and essentially combine with other programs.

Though the future remains unclear, Chavira and SFS2 Director S.K. Ramesh said programs will be turning to private funding and donors, as well as campus collaboration, to continue offering opportunities for students.