The Python Software Foundation Rejects Government Grant Over DEI Restrictions
The Python Software Foundation has rejected a $1.5 million U.S. government grant due to its restrictive terms, which prohibited the organization from pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The foundation’s deputy executive director, Loren Crary, criticized the National Science Foundation (NSF) for mandating that the PSF disavow all DEI efforts, which would have conflicted with its mission to foster a diverse and international community of Python programmers.
The grant, which was intended to fund security improvements for Python and the Python Package Index (PyPI), included measures against supply chain attacks and automating package reviews. However, the NSF’s proposal required the PSF to renounce all DEI programs, a stipulation that Crary deemed incompatible with the foundation’s mission. In a blog post, Crary detailed the grant’s terms, which included a clause allowing the NSF to reclaim funds if the PSF violated the anti-DEI policy, creating a significant financial risk.
The PSF, which operates on an annual budget of about $5 million with a staff of just 14, deemed the conditions unacceptable. Crary noted that the $1.5 million grant would have been the largest the foundation had ever received, but the conditions undermined its mission. The PSF board voted unanimously to withdraw its grant application, emphasizing the importance of its DEI commitment in maintaining its community and operational goals.
The decision highlights a growing tension between certain government funding programs and organizations that prioritize DEI initiatives. The PSF’s stance reflects a broader debate over the role of such initiatives in public and non-profit sectors, and the potential consequences of restricting them through funding mechanisms. This case may prompt further discussions about the balance between funding requirements and organizational values in scientific and technological research.