Some 149 current employees of the National Science Foundation (NSF) released an open letter dated July 21 which states that the Trump administration’s funding cuts “collectively amount to the systemic dismantling of a world-renowned scientific agency.” The letter adds that these cuts are, “politically motivated and legally questionable,” destroying innovation, and sacrificing the nation’s position as a global scientific leader. These measures have disrupted scientific progress.
In just six months, 10% of the agency’s staff have been dismissed and 1,600 research grants have been terminated. The letter states that a further funding cut of 56% in the administration’s proposed budget for 2026 would “eliminate funding for over 250,000 researchers and students, and break bipartisan commitments made under the CHIPS and Science Act.”
