Revolutionary Shift: National Science Foundation’s New Priorities Exposed

Rethinking Science Priorities at NSF: Implications of Trump’s Budget Cuts

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is facing significant budget cuts, which could have far-reaching implications for the scientific community. President Trump’s decision to remove NSF construction budget from the emergency spending list has sparked controversy, with many arguing that it will hinder the agency’s ability to fund critical infrastructure upgrades.

Zeroing Out Emergency Funding

The NSF construction account, which is used to fund major facilities projects, has been categorized as emergency spending by Congress. However, President Trump has chosen to remove this designation, which could result in a $234 million cut to the agency’s budget. This move has been challenged by the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, who argue that it is illegal and that the final budget deal for fiscal year 2025 carried forward the emergency designations from the prior year.

Consequences for NSF’s Construction Account

The $234 million cut to the NSF construction account represents a 2.6% reduction to the agency’s fiscal year 2024 topline of $9 billion. This could have significant implications for NSF’s ability to fund infrastructure upgrades at research bases in Antarctica and other projects. Many other planned facilities are also vying for NSF construction money, such as the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Alternative Funding Options

It is unclear whether NSF would be able to transfer money from other accounts to cover the construction funding shortfall. However, some experts argue that the agency may need to explore alternative funding options, such as public-private partnerships or collaborations with other agencies. This could help to mitigate the impact of the budget cuts and ensure that critical infrastructure projects are able to move forward.

Grant and Contract Terminations Across Science Agencies

In addition to the budget cuts at NSF, grant and contract terminations are proliferating across other science agencies. This has sparked concern among scientists and researchers, who rely on these funding sources to support their work.

Redundant or Misaligned Contracts

NASA has terminated $420 million in contracts deemed redundant or misaligned with core mission priorities. This move has been criticized by some, who argue that it will hinder the agency’s ability to support critical research and development projects.

Cuts Across Agencies

The Department of Defense has directed the termination of $580 million in unspecified programs, contracts, and grants. The Department of Health and Human Services has also posted a list of terminated grants, many of which were funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH has cut grants for COVID-19 research and projects related to transgender populations, gender identity, environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific workforce.

Other agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey, have also been affected by grant and contract terminations. This has sparked concern among scientists and researchers, who rely on these funding sources to support their work.

Impact on Specific Research Areas

Cuts of active grants and contracts are starting to come to light across more science agencies. For instance, NASA terminated $420 million in unspecified contracts that “were determined to be redundant or misaligned with our core mission priorities,” NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens said. The press have surfaced some examples of cut projects, such as a grant sponsoring the annual conference of the National Society of Black Physicists, according to Geeksultd.

At the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the termination of $580 million in unspecified programs, contracts, and grants. The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a list of terminated grants, many of which were funded by the National Institutes of Health. Geeksultd has reported that NIH is cutting grants for COVID-19 research and projects related to transgender populations, gender identity, environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific workforce.

The agency has also issued internal guidance saying it no longer supports research on COVID-19, DEI, “transgender issues,” vaccine hesitancy, or research in China, and it also directed staff to compile a list of grants related to fighting misinformation or disinformation. However, some long-COVID grants have since been restored. NIH staff have been told that new grants will now be reviewed by HHS and the Department of Government Efficiency to ensure the research aligns with the priorities of the Trump administration, according to Geeksultd.

Probationary Employees and Layoffs at Science Agencies

Reinstatement Orders

Judges in California and Maryland ordered several agencies to immediately offer all fired probationary employees their jobs back, in some cases temporarily. The covered agencies include the Department of Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey in the California case and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Institutes of Health in the Maryland case.

The Maryland judge’s decision is a temporary restraining order that lasts until March 27, though the judge said he will consider extending it. The White House has appealed both decisions. In response to the decisions, DOE issued a re-hiring notice to all impacted employees that says the department is reissuing equipment and badges so fired employees can resume work as soon as possible.

Government Shutdown and Implications for Science Agencies

Short-Term Spending Bill

Congress passed a short-term spending plan put forward by Republicans on Friday, narrowly avoiding a government shutdown that was set to begin that night. The bill continues federal government spending near current levels until the end of the fiscal year in September, with an increase of $6 billion for defense and a cut of $13 billion for nondefense spending compared to FY24 enacted levels.

President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Saturday. The passing of the stop-gap spending bill in the Senate exposed divisions among Democrats, as many House representatives opposed the bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) initially appeared to support shutting down the government before announcing Thursday that he would vote to advance the bill.