U.S. funding linked to compliance with political views

The Trump administration has sent a questionnaire to Canadian researchers who receive U.S. federal funding. This has raised alarms about academic freedom. The Canadian Association of University Teachers reported that these questionnaires started arriving in early March. The form, sent by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, includes 29 questions. Researchers who got grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture had a deadline to respond by March 7. The questions focus on how research relates to Trump administration policies, covering diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice. Researchers worry that funding may depend on their alignment with these political views. David Robinson from the Canadian Association of University Teachers described the questionnaire as a way to pressure researchers to conform. He learned about it from Australian counterparts who received similar requests. Some Canadian universities confirmed that researchers did receive the questionnaires, while others, like the University of Toronto, said they were not aware of any instances. Universities Canada is working to gather more information and help their members respond. Concerns have been raised about ongoing multinational research projects that rely on U.S. funding, especially in fields like health and the environment. The questionnaire also refers to an executive order regarding “Defending Women from Gender Ideology,” issued at the start of Trump's second term. This has legal implications for Canadian researchers, who could face conflicts between U.S. funding requirements and Canadian laws against discrimination.