House science committee exposes disagreement among National Science Foundation staff in public hearing
In the midst of the ongoing administration, about 149 employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) have publicly expressed dissent against what they perceive as politically motivated actions by the Trump administration [1][3]. This dissent was formalized in a letter submitted as a protected whistleblower complaint, with most signatories choosing to remain anonymous to avoid potential retaliation [1][3].
The dissent letter, signed by nearly 150 members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union at the NSF, calls for protection of NSF employees from politically motivated firings, release of frozen grant funding, and increased transparency from administration officials [1].
One of the primary concerns is the administration's proposed budget cut of 56% for the NSF in financial year 2026. The NSF employees argue that this cut would undermine US leadership in science, eliminate funding for over 250,000 researchers and students, and potentially disrupt scientific research [2].
Another point of contention is the withholding of $2.2 billion in congressionally appropriated NSF funds for fiscal year 2025. This move has led to concerns that scientific research could be severely disrupted, as it limits the NSF's ability to fulfill its mission to advance science and technology [5].
The dissenting NSF employees also accuse the administration of implementing a 'covert and ideologically driven' secondary research review process [4]. They claim that this process has led to the termination of over 1600 NSF grants without proper explanation between April and May 2025 [4].
The situation at the NSF mirrors similar patterns of dissent and staff reductions at other federal science agencies such as NASA, NIH, and EPA. In the case of the EPA, employees who signed similar dissent letters faced administrative leave, highlighting fears of retaliation [1].
Jesus Soriano, the president of the local AFGE chapter, was the only person whose name was on the NSF dissent declaration. However, one-third of the signatories chose to sign anonymously, and all the remaining names but one were redacted [1].
The declaration was leaked in mid-July and placed on indefinite hold before being released at a 22 July press conference convened by Democrats on the House science, space and technology committee [2]. Earlier this week, the agency extended the administrative leave of 160 employees as part of that investigation [2].
In summary, NSF employees continue to resist politically driven interference and budget cuts that threaten scientific research and agency independence, with significant impacts including staff attrition and stalled funding. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of federal science agencies and the critical role they play in advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.
[1] https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2025/07/nsf-employees-warn-politically-motivated-actions-threaten-agencys-integrity [2] https://www.npr.org/2025/07/22/1026106930/nsf-employees-accuse-trump-administration-of-interfering-with-science [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/07/23/nsf-employees-accuse-trump-administration-interfering-science/ [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/us/politics/nsf-grant-terminations.html [5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/06/18/trump-proposes-56-cut-to-national-science-foundation-budget-in-2026/?sh=768e5b5a7e9d
- The dissent at the National Science Foundation (NSF) highlights concerns about the impact of politically motivated actions in the realm of science, such as budget cuts, restrictions on grant funding, and secondary research reviews, which could potentially disrupt the ongoing scientific research and jeopardize US leadership in this field.
- The letter of dissent, signed by a large number of NSF employees, calls for transparency, protection from politically motivated firings, and the release of frozen grant funding as part of the broader fight for workplace wellness and health, including mental health, within the context of policy and legislation, and the larger field of general news.
- Similar patterns of dissent and staff reductions have been noted in other federal science agencies, such as NASA, NIH, and EPA, with potential repercussions for the entire scientific community, including researchers and students, due to the stalled funding and attrition caused by these political interferences.
- The importance of maintaining the integrity of federal science agencies is underscored by this ongoing situation. Not only do these agencies advance scientific knowledge and innovation, but they also play a crucial role in safeguarding the environment and contributing to overall health and wellness.
