Staff members at the National Science Foundation (NSF) are raising alarms over what they describe as “politically driven and legally dubious” measures taken by the Trump administration concerning their organization.
Their worries include large-scale layoffs from the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, as well as involvement in the funding process.
Specifically, the employees claim that for grants, there is an hidden and politically motivated secondary review process conducted by unqualified political appointees that is now disrupting the science-based evaluation system.
The allegations and related information are outlined in a letter directed to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the leading Democratic member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Lofgren mentioned during a press event that the letter was being delivered to her office as “a protected whistleblower disclosure.”
It was signed by 149 employees, nearly all of whom either signed under anonymity or had their names removed in the public version of the letter released on Tuesday.
The National Science Foundation is a self-governing scientific organization that funds research in multiple disciplines such as biology, engineering, computer science, and earth sciences.
The organization chose not to respond to the letter.
Staff members also mentioned that the administration revoked 1,600 NSF grants in April and May, employing “unrevealed standards.” Additionally, the White House Office of Management is holding back $2.2 billion from the agency’s total $9 billion budget, which was approved by Congress.
“Individuals within the administration have influence over which programs receive funding and which proposals are approved,” stated Jesus Soriano, president of the AFGE Local 3403, representing NSF staff.
Their complete list of issues included: “A Proposed Budget Cut That Would Harm American Science,” “Ending Active Research Grants Without Clarity or Legal Reason,” “Political Examination of Scientific Funding,” “Withholding Allocated Money,” “Unlawful Dismissals and Potential Large-Scale Staff Reductions,” “Forced Resignations and Loss of Knowledge,” “Unexpected and Unplanned Removal from Headquarters” and “NSF’s Breach of Scientific Ethics by Using Politicized Probation Rules.”
The correspondence follows staff members at different agencies, includingthe Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Healthletters published in dissent to express worries about Trump administration policies. The administrationput the individuals who signed the EPA letter on leave after its publication.
—Updated at 3:18 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
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