The Trump administration fired all 22 members of the National Science Foundation's governing board on Friday. The NSF distributes roughly $9 billion annually to fund major research projects across the United States. The board members, comprised of prominent scientists, provided oversight for the agency's operations and funding decisions.
This mass termination represents the latest setback for American science under the new administration. Federal science agencies have faced repeated personnel disruptions and policy shifts in recent weeks. The NSF dismissals remove experienced scientists from key decision-making roles during a period when research funding priorities face potential restructuring.
The board's removal leaves questions about how the agency will operate and what research projects may lose support. The NSF funds work across disciplines including physics, biology, engineering, and computer science. Loss of the board's guidance could disrupt ongoing projects and delay future funding announcements.
These firings follow a pattern of executive actions targeting federal science agencies. The administration has signaled intent to redirect research funding and reshape how government supports scientific work. Researchers and universities that depend on NSF grants now face uncertainty about future support.