The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employed specific keyword searches including terms like 'diversity' and 'climate modelling' to identify research grants targeted for cancellation, according to documents obtained by Reuters.
Targeted Grant Review Process
Internal documents reveal that USDA officials conducted systematic searches through grant applications and research projects using particular terminology as criteria for potential defunding. The searches specifically looked for projects containing words such as 'diversity' and 'climate modelling' among other related terms.
This targeting method was implemented as part of a broader review of federally funded research programs. The department's approach involved scanning existing grants and pending applications for these specific keywords to determine which projects would face cancellation or funding reductions.
Timing and Implementation
The grant targeting initiative was underway during July 2025, as evidenced by department activities and communications from that period. The revelation comes from documents dated November 13, 2025, indicating the practice had been ongoing for several months before becoming public.
Agricultural research institutions and universities that had submitted grant proposals containing these keywords found their projects suddenly under scrutiny for potential cancellation. The targeting affected both new applications and previously approved grants that were already in progress.
Broader Implications for Research
This keyword-based approach to grant cancellation has raised concerns within the scientific community about the potential politicization of research funding. Projects focused on climate change adaptation, agricultural diversity, and environmental modelling appear to have been disproportionately affected by the screening process.
The practice has sparked debate about the criteria used for federal research funding decisions and whether content-based targeting represents an appropriate method for allocating scientific resources. Research institutions and advocacy groups have expressed concern about the long-term impact on agricultural innovation and environmental science.
The USDA has not yet issued a comprehensive public statement addressing the specific methodology behind the grant cancellation selections or the rationale for using these particular search terms in their review process.
