Trump administration fires independent board overseeing National Science Foundation

Key Points:

• The Trump administration abruptly terminated all members of the National Science Board, an independent body that advises on science policy and oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF), effective immediately.
• The 22 dismissed members, experts from academia and industry, were in the process of finalizing a report on the state of U.S. science and had planned an in-person meeting next week.
• Critics, including board members and Senator Maria Cantwell, condemned the move as a dangerous blow to American scientific innovation and expressed concern that it paves the way for significant budget cuts to the NSF.
• The administration previously attempted to slash the NSF’s $9 billion budget by more than half, and with the advisory board removed, such reductions may face less resistance, potentially harming fundamental research and scientific training.
• The NSF's headquarters was also downsized recently, with its former building being repurposed for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, signaling broader organizational changes under the current administration.