TRUMP FIRES ENTIRE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

The National Science Board (NSB) plays a critical advisory role for the National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency that has been instrumental in funding foundational research across the United States. The NSF's portfolio spans decades of technological breakthroughs. The agency helped develop technology underlying MRI machines, contributed to cellular phone innovation, and even provided early funding that helped launch language-learning app Duolingo. The dismissal removes the board's oversight function at a time when the NSF already operates under budgetary constraints and has accumulated substantial delays in grant distribution. These delays have created bottlenecks for researchers seeking federal funding for projects ranging from basic science to applied technology development. The NSB typically comprises scientists, engineers, and education experts who provide recommendations on NSF policies and priorities. Replacing the entire board signals a significant shift in the administration's approach to federal science governance.