The Python Software Foundation (PSF) has made a significant decision to withdraw from a $1.5 million grant proposal offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant was intended to fund automated security tools aimed at protecting Python Package Index (PyPI) users from supply-chain attacks through proactive package reviews.
This grant, which would have represented a substantial increase to the PSF’s $5 million annual budget, faced a critical stipulation: the PSF was required to agree to terms that would prohibit any programs advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the entire organization during the funding period. Such an agreement would have put the foundation at odds with its mission, which is dedicated to supporting a diverse and international Python community.
After carefully considering the implications, the PSF Board of Directors unanimously decided that upholding their commitment to DEI was paramount. Despite the potential for a substantial financial setback and the impact on their 14-person team, the PSF chose to reject the funding. The conditions imposed by the NSF not only conflicted with the Foundation’s core values but also included provisions that would allow the NSF to reclaim any disbursed funds if these terms were violated.
The grant, touted as the largest in PSF’s history and accounting for 30% of their annual budget, highlighted the difficult decisions organizations must make when external funding sources impose limitations contrary to an organization’s foundational principles. By choosing to step away from the grant, the PSF has reaffirmed its dedication to its community-oriented mission and to fostering an inclusive environment for Python developers worldwide.

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The Python Software Foundation declined a $1.5 million NSF grant that would have funded automated security tools for PyPI supply-chain attack prevention. The grant required the PSF to prohibit all DEI programs organization-wide during the funding period, conflicting with their mission to support a diverse international Python community. Despite representing 30% of their annual budget, the PSF Board unanimously rejected the funding to maintain their commitment to inclusivity.

Python Software Foundation Withdraws $1.5 Million NSF Grant to Preserve DEI Mission

Consistency and coherence are worth way more than money