A USDA spokesperson confirmed this reasoning in a statement emailed to CBS News, saying the taxpayer-funded education component of the grant "prioritized women identifying as men who might menstruate."
"This mission certainly does not align with the priorities and policies of the Trump Administration, which maintains that there are two sexes: male and female," the statement said.
While the grant language does include a single sentence acknowledging that transgender men are among those who menstruate, there was no indication that they were the focus of the grant or even part of it. The passing reference to transgender men in the original grant application appears to be the sole justification for its cancellation.
The description of the grant's goals, objectives and project methods contains no mention of prioritizing transgender men and focuses solely on the development of menstrual products made from natural fibers. The grant repeatedly notes that it would focus on efforts to "educate young women and adolescent girls" about menstrual hygiene products.
The USDA, asked in a follow-up question whether it had any evidence that the study prioritized transgender men, did not respond.