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2w ago

NSF Director Resigns as Agency Faces Severe Budget Cuts and Grant Terminations

Sethuraman Panchanathan steps down as the Trump administration’s cost-cutting reforms slash NSF funding by 55%, jeopardizing U.S. scientific research.

National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4, 2023. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The National Science Foundation (NSF) is preparing for a 55% budget reduction, cutting its $9 billion annual funding nearly in half.
  • NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan announced his resignation on April 24, citing the need for new leadership during this turbulent period.
  • The agency plans to lay off approximately half of its 1,700-person workforce, significantly impacting its operational capacity.
  • Over $1 billion in active research grants, including projects on environmental justice, misinformation, and diversity, have been canceled to align with new priorities.
  • The changes, driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Trump administration directives, have drawn sharp criticism from the scientific community for undermining U.S. research competitiveness.