FASEB Issues Statement Commenting on Dismissal of National Science Board

By: Jennifer Zeitzer
Friday, May 15, 2026
On April 30, FASEB issued a statement commenting on the disturbing dismissal of the entire National Science Board (NSB) less than two weeks before it was scheduled to meet on May 5. FASEB’s statement noted that the dismissals risk further destabilizing the National Science Foundation (NSF), an agency that has already lost most of its external advisory committee support and updated internal processes to accommodate a 50 percent reduction in force over the past year. The dismantling of the NSB is another significant blow to an already beleaguered agency, which has faced decreased funding for fiscal year (FY) 2026 and proposed further significant reductions in funding for FY 2027, delays in the release of funding from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and major disruptions in restoring critical functions following last year’s 43-day government shutdown.  

The FASEB statement encouraged Congress to fulfill its oversight duties by holding the Administration accountable for adhering to the intent of the law and ensuring that there is a fully functional NSB to fulfill its statutory functions, including approval of NSF’s strategic budget directions and new major programs and awards. FASEB also urged the Administration to nominate new NSB members as soon as possible and implored the Administration to consult with stakeholders prior to appointing new NSB members to ensure that the Board remains free of political interference. 

FASEB cited dismissal of the entire NSB as the latest example of the Administration’s elimination of critical external advisory committees within the Nation’s science agencies. Additionally, although the administration nominated Jim O'Neill to be the next NSF Director, little is known about the status of this critical nomination, which was transmitted to the Senate on March 2. 

The NSB was mandated by Congress through the National Science Act of 1950. As a Federal Advisory Committee Act committee, the NSB serves as an independent body of advisors to both the President and Congress on policy matters related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering, most notably the Science and Engineering Indicators. NSB Members are Presidential Appointees (PA) and serve for six year terms. Terms are purposely staggered to ensure that only one-third of the Board is rotating off at any given time.  

On April 28, the NSB Member webpage was updated to remove the previous active roster and add a large banner stating, “Pending New Appointments.” Notably, members from the terminated roster are not included in the list of former NSB members.

The House Science, Space and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over NSF and NSB. On April 25, full committee ranking member Zoe Lofgren issued a press release criticizing the termination of the NSB members. Lofgren followed up the statement with a May 12 letter to the White House, co-signed by 31 other members of the House of Representatives, questioning the legal basis for the termination of the NSB members and demanding that the president reinstate the Board immediately. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell also released a statement noting the unprecedented termination of the NSB members.

FASEB thanks the NSB members for their volunteer work, which showed a huge commitment to driving our country’s leadership in science and technology to advance health and welfare, grow the economy, ensure our national security, and support workforce development for the next generation.