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yesterday

NSF Faces Turmoil as 700 Research Grants Canceled and Director Resigns

The National Science Foundation is destabilized after politically driven funding cuts, staff reductions, and the abrupt departure of its director Sethuraman Panchanathan.

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Overview

  • Approximately 700 NSF research grants were canceled on April 25, 2025, following earlier cuts to 400 grants, many targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
  • NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned on April 24, citing the need for new leadership after mounting political pressure and budgetary challenges.
  • The cuts are part of a broader effort by President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to eliminate projects deemed 'wasteful' and reduce federal spending.
  • The NSF now faces a proposed 55% budget reduction and potential layoffs of half its workforce, raising concerns over the U.S.'s global scientific competitiveness.
  • Projects impacted by the cuts include programs for rural Latinx youth, STEM learning for girls, HBCU computer science initiatives, and AI deepfake detection tools.