Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Plaintiff Obed Norman is a principal investigator (PI) of the collaborative National Science Foundation research grant proposals at issue and the CEO of STEMLIFE. The plaintiff applied for a $5 million collaborative grant from NSF on October 10, 2024. The grants were returned eight months later “without review” for not meeting agency priorities. The complaint alleged that even though NSF recommended the proposal for funding during the review process, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officials disqualified all proposals that contained words such as “diversity.” Subsequently, the plaintiff brought this pro se lawsuit against Donald J. Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency, the NSF, and various heads of NSF departments in their official capacities.
The plaintiff alleged that the rejection of his proposal violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, and that DOGE lacked the statutory authority to insert itself into the proposal review process. The complaint requested that the court set aside the rejection and enjoin DOGE from rejecting other “meritorious” grants on a similar basis.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (12/2/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71658061/parties/norman-v-trump/
Norman, Obed (Maryland)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71658061/norman-v-trump/
Last updated Jan. 17, 2026, 12:47 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Oct. 15, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is Obed Norman.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Donald J. Trump (District of Columbia), Federal
Department of Government Efficiency (District of Columbia), Federal
National Science Foundation (District of Columbia), Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Leave Act, 5 U.S.C. § 6329a
Other Dockets:
District of Maryland 1:25-cv-03414
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: