"The Python Software Foundation (PSF) is withdrawing its application for a $1.5 million (€1.3 million) grant from the US National Science Foundation (NSF). The organization refuses to agree to new grant conditions that explicitly prohibit programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In January 2025, the PSF submitted a proposal to the Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open Source Ecosystems program. The project was intended to help address structural vulnerabilities in the Python programming language and its associated package platform PyPI."
"After a lengthy review process, the proposal was ultimately recommended for funding. This is an exceptional achievement for a first-time application. However, when the PSF saw the final grant conditions, concerns arose. The foundation would have to declare that it does not and will not run any programs that promote DEI. That provision would apply not only to the specific security project, but to all of the organization's activities."
The Python Software Foundation withdrew a $1.5 million NSF grant application after refusing grant conditions that prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The proposal, submitted in January 2025 to the Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open Source Ecosystems program, aimed to address structural vulnerabilities in Python and the PyPI package platform. The application was the foundation's first bid for government funding and followed months of intensive work led by Seth Larson and Loren Crary. The proposal was recommended for funding but required a declaration banning DEI programs across all activities and allowed NSF to reclaim funds, creating significant financial risk. The conditions reflect federal guidelines introduced in early 2025 under the Trump administration restricting DEI initiatives.
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