Federal Funds Banned for Disinformation Research Grants: NSF's 'Trust and Authenticity' Programs Also Targeted

This bill, straight up, prohibits any federal department or agency from spending money on disinformation research grants. It also pulls the plug on funding for "Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace" grants and completely eliminates programs within the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Track F, which focuses on "Trust and Authenticity in Communication Systems." (SEC. 1). Essentially, it's a sweeping ban on federal funding for research aimed at understanding and combating disinformation, as well as securing our digital spaces.

Cutting Off the Cash Flow

The core of this bill is a straightforward prohibition. No federal funds can be obligated or expended for the specified types of grants and programs. This means no new grants can be awarded, and existing grants might be in jeopardy, depending on the specific wording of their funding agreements. The bill doesn't just target "disinformation research" broadly; it specifically calls out cybersecurity grants and a whole track within the NSF dedicated to trust in communications. This is like saying, "We're not just turning off the tap, we're dismantling the pipes."

Real-World Shutdown

Imagine a university research team developing new tools to detect deepfakes or a cybersecurity firm working on ways to protect critical infrastructure from online attacks. Under this bill, if their work touches on "disinformation" or falls under the targeted NSF program, their federal funding could vanish. For example, a project studying how misinformation spreads on social media during elections, even if aimed at strengthening democratic processes, could be defunded. Or a cybersecurity initiative by a small business to develop a new way to identify and counter bot networks may not see the light of day. A cybersecurity expert working at a local utility company to better protect the power grid could also lose vital support if their work is connected to a 'Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace' grant.

The Bigger Chill

Beyond the immediate funding cuts, this bill raises some serious questions. What exactly counts as "disinformation research"? The bill doesn't define it, leaving room for broad interpretation. This lack of clarity could create a chilling effect, discouraging researchers and institutions from even proposing projects that might be perceived as falling under the ban. It also sets a precedent for potentially limiting academic freedom and scientific inquiry in areas deemed politically sensitive. While the bill doesn't explicitly link to existing laws, it directly contradicts the broader federal push for increased cybersecurity and efforts to combat foreign influence operations, which often rely on the very research this bill would defund.