The Python Software Foundation (PSF) has decided to withdraw its $1.5 million grant proposal to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) after discovering that the funding terms conflicted with its values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The grant was part of the NSF’s Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open Source Ecosystems program, which supports research and development aimed at improving the security and reliability of open-source software. The PSF had submitted its proposal in January 2025, seeking financial support to enhance security in Python and the Python Package Index (PyPI).
The funding would have helped develop automated malware-detection tools for PyPI uploads, reducing risks from malicious packages that have affected the platform in recent years. These tools were also planned to be adapted for other open-source ecosystems such as NPM and Crate.io.
However, when the NSF approved the funding, it included restrictive conditions requiring recipients to agree not to engage in programs that “advance or promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.” This clause would have applied not just to the grant project but to all PSF operations. A violation could also have required the PSF to return the funds, creating significant financial and ethical risks.
Because DEI is a core part of the foundation’s mission, the PSF’s board unanimously voted to reject the funding. In a statement, the organization emphasized that its purpose is to “promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language” and to “support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international community of Python programmers.”
This move follows a similar decision by The Carpentries in June 2025, which also turned down NSF funding under the same DEI-related restrictions.
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The PSF noted that while it deeply values opportunities for collaboration and financial support, it will not compromise on its core principles. The organization has urged supporters to contribute by becoming members, donating, or sponsoring initiatives to help sustain its work in maintaining and improving the Python ecosystem.
