Trump Administration Abolishes Entire National Science Board, Ending Independent Oversight of $9B Research Budget

The Trump Administration has abruptly terminated all members of the National Science Board, an independent body responsible for governing the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its approximately $9 billion annual budget for basic science research.

The National Science Board is designed to operate independently from federal administration to shield science funding from political interference and budgetary cycles. Its dissolution marks a significant shift in how U.S. scientific research is governed.

"I have watched the systematic dismantling of the scientific advisory infrastructure of this government with growing alarm, and the National Science Board is simply the latest casualty."

On 24 April, the Presidential Personnel Office sent notices to all board members informing them that their positions had been eliminated. The emails provided no explanation for the terminations.

"I am deeply disappointed, though I cannot say I am entirely surprised," said Willie E. May, a terminated board member and vice president of research and economic development at Morgan State University in Maryland. "I have watched the systematic dismantling of the scientific advisory infrastructure of this government with growing alarm, and the National Science Board is simply the latest casualty."

Zoe Lofgren, ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (D-CA), condemned the move, calling it "the latest stupid move made by a president who continues to harm science and American innovation."

Impact on Science Funding and Oversight

The terminations follow a year of drastic reductions in research funding. In 2025, the NSF granted 51% less funding to scientists compared to the 2015-2024 average and terminated hundreds of active grants. Earlier, in May 2025, the administration proposed cutting $5 billion from the NSF budget, though Congress rejected the proposal.

The president’s fiscal year 2027 budget request again seeks to reduce the foundation’s budget by more than half. During a February 2026 meeting, NSF leadership indicated plans to reduce grant solicitations.

Broader Pattern of Scientific Advisory Disruptions

The administration has systematically restructured scientific advisory groups across federal agencies:

• Eliminated 152 federal advisory committees at science agencies
• Merged all advisory committees of the Department of Energy into a single entity
• Dismantled the Environmental Protection Agency’s research office

"Without a functional National Science Board in the near term, the agency is left without the guidance and oversight of independent experts, and the public is left without information on how NSF is carrying out its mission," wrote Gretchen Goldman, president and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists, in a statement about the terminations.