Many institutions and companies are finally recognizing that “good” discrimination, better known as diversity, equity, and inclusion, in admissions and hiring is counterproductive as well as often illegal. In contrast, federal agencies remain in thrall to DEI in evaluating and making grants for scientific research.

Government agencies that fund STEMM, which is science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, demand DEI affirmation in proposals and want to see tangible plans to further DEI once the work begins.