The US Supreme Court has derailed researchers’ efforts to reinstate almost $2 billion in research grants issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The court’s decision on Thursday represents a remarkable reversal, allowing the administration of US President Donald Trump to proceed with science cuts it began in late February.

NIH research grants that promote diversity, equity and inclusion and what the Trump administration calls “gender ideology extremism” can now be terminated, following a Supreme Court decision.