Biologist Brian Donovan Loses Federal Grants and Job at University of Illinois

Brian Donovan, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has lost his federal research grants and his job at the university. According to STAT News, the grants from the National Science Foundation amounted to more than $1 million and funded research on the effects of gender and sexuality education in schools.

Donovan's work examined how such curricula influence student outcomes, including mental health and academic performance.

The National Science Foundation terminated the grants following a review prompted by external complaints. The complaints alleged that Donovan's research promoted certain ideological views rather than adhering to scientific neutrality. Donovan has stated that the decision came after investigations into his publications and public statements.

joined the University of Illinois in 2018 and received his first NSF grant in 2019.

His projects focused on evaluating comprehensive sex education programs in public schools across several states. The research involved surveys and data analysis from thousands of students, aiming to assess long-term effects on health and behavior. The university placed Donovan on administrative leave in 2022 amid the grant review process.

During this period, his lab operations were suspended, affecting graduate students and collaborators. The institution cited compliance with federal funding guidelines as the reason for the leave.

The NSF's decision to revoke the grants was announced in early 2023.

According to reports, the agency determined that aspects of the research design did not sufficiently separate advocacy from objective inquiry. Donovan appealed the decision but was unsuccessful. Following the grant termination, the University of Illinois did not renew Donovan's contract, effective at the end of the academic year.

The university stated that the move aligned with its policies on research integrity. Donovan has since sought new academic positions while continuing independent work. This case occurs amid broader discussions on federal funding priorities for social science research.

Stakeholders include researchers in education and biology, as well as policymakers overseeing NSF budgets. Future implications may involve revised guidelines for grant applications in related fields.