The Trump administration fired all 22 members of the National Science Foundation's board on Friday. The NSF distributes approximately $9 billion annually to fund major research projects across the United States. The board members, all prominent scientists, oversaw the agency's grant-making and strategic direction.
This action represents the latest blow to American scientific institutions following recent federal hiring freezes and budget cuts. The firings remove experienced researchers from key decision-making roles at a time when U.S. scientific competitiveness faces mounting pressure from international rivals. The NSF board typically includes leading figures from academia and research institutions who guide funding priorities and evaluate grant applications.
The mass termination leaves the agency without its governing board during a period of uncertainty about future research funding levels. Replacement board members have not been announced. The move signals a significant shift in how the federal government will approach scientific funding and research priorities going forward. The NSF's role in supporting everything from physics and mathematics to engineering and computer science makes board leadership decisions consequential for American research institutions nationwide.