The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled a significant grant aimed at studying menstrual cycles in transgender men. Secretary Brooke Rollins announced this decision on Friday, stating that the grant, which was worth $600,000, would no longer proceed.
The grant was awarded to Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical College in Louisiana and was intended to explore various aspects of menstruation, including the experiences of transgender men and other individuals with masculine identities who may also menstruate. The study was set to continue until April 2027.
Rollins shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude to the American Principles Project, a conservative nonprofit that highlighted the grant. She emphasized that the administration is working to end what she described as "insanity" in federal spending.
The grant’s description noted that menstruation typically begins around the age of 12 and continues until menopause, which usually occurs around age 51. It also mentioned that about 26% of the global population is menstruating at any given time.
The cancellation comes amid broader scrutiny of federal spending under the Biden administration. The American Principles Project has identified over 340 grants totaling more than $128 million that have been awarded to various institutions, including colleges and hospitals.
The study aimed to address concerns related to menstruation, such as the potential for using natural fibers like hemp in feminine hygiene products. However, with the grant’s cancellation, these plans will no longer move forward.
This decision reflects ongoing debates around government funding for studies related to gender and health, as well as the priorities of the current administration.