“While our grants may cover operating expenses, decisions about specifics like compensation would remain with our grantee partner,” Llanos said.

The grantees have “turned their lives around since their convictions and have demonstrated a commitment of service to their families and communities,” the governor’s office said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Newsom’s office said “a pardon grant recognizes the grantee’s self-development and accountability after conviction,” but does not erase a conviction or seek to minimize the harm caused by the recipient.

Oklahoma has refused “to comply with the agreed-upon conditions, which are currently in effect as to every other Title X grantee in the nation,” she said.

It is relatively rare for HHS to debar an NIH grantee.