Administration terminated President Donald Trump Membership of all members of the National Science Board (NSB), the independent body that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds about $9 billion annually in basic scientific research in the United States.
The surprise move came on Friday, April 24, 2026, when all 22 members received brief emails from the Presidential Personnel Office informing them that their positions were “terminated immediately” on behalf of President Trump, without offering any prior explanation or warning.\
The board, an independent body of prominent scientists and engineers who serve overlapping six-year terms, sets policy and approves significant spending for the institution that has contributed to the development of vital technologies such as magnetic resonance, cell phones and surgical lasers.
According to a report on the Scientific American website, members received letters stating: “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the National Science Board has been terminated, effective immediately.”
Reports from The Washington Post, The New York Times, Nature, and Forbes confirmed that the decision included all current members, which is a rare precedent in the history of the body established in 1950.
The dismissals came amid disagreements over the foundation’s budget, with the council criticizing proposals to reduce funding by up to 55%, and come after the position of director of the foundation was vacant for more than a year. The move sparked angry reactions from Democrats and scientific societies, which described it as a “direct attack on the independence of science” and an attempt to remove any obstacles to imposing the administration’s priorities on funding research.
Background of the decision and its political implications
The action comes in the context of ongoing tensions between the administration and scientific institutions, especially with the 2027 budget proposal calling for a significant reduction in NSF funding. Observers believe that dismissing the entire board allows the administration to appoint new members more consistent with its vision, which may affect the independence of scientific funding decisions.
A former member of the Council expressed concern that this would lead to ignoring Congress’s recommendations and directly imposing the administration’s policies. Representative Zoe Lofgren, a member of the Congressional Science Committee, also warned that the move “destroys the independent body that directs the future of the NSF.”
Potential impacts on scientific research, artificial intelligence and innovation
The absence of the Interim Council may disrupt its upcoming meetings, including the May 5, 2026 meeting, and delay approvals for major projects in Fields of artificial intelligence Physics and Biology, this raises serious concerns about the future of funding for basic research, especially given the current financial pressures on the institution.
Scientists have warned that this could weaken America’s scientific leadership in the long term, and affect innovations that depend on federal funding, including developments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainable technology. At the same time, the White House has not yet issued an official explanation, while associations such as the Association of American Universities have expressed “deep concern” about the move, especially in light of the vacancy in the director’s position.
