"Dismissal of the National Science Board is widely seen as latest move to erase NSF’s independence"
"U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the body that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). Many science advocates see it as the latest step by his administration to erode—some would say destroy—the independence of the 76-year-old research agency.
“On behalf of President Donald J Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the National Science Board is terminated, effective immediately,” reads a 24 April email from Mary Sprowls of the presidential personnel office to each NSB member. “Thank you for your service.”
The NSB is a unique entity within the U.S. government. In addition to advising the administration and Congress on national science policy, it has statutory authority to oversee the actions of the $9-billion NSF, setting policy and approving large expenditures. Its presidentially appointed members, typically prominent academics and industry leaders, serve 6-year terms, with eight members chosen every 2 years.
Keivan Stassun, one of the dismissed board members, says the mass firing is the latest indication that the White House is ignoring the board’s authority and dictating policies at NSF, which has been without a permanent director since Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned exactly one year ago."
Jeffrey Mervis reports for Science April 25, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Trump Fires Board Members of Group That Oversees U.S. Science Funding" (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/us/politics/trump-fires-board-members...
