Sethuraman Panchanathan, the director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), resigned from his position. He stated that he believed he had done all he could to advance the agency's mission.
Panchanathan's departure comes amidst significant changes driven by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focused on reducing government spending. The NSF is facing pressure to comply with executive orders that restrict activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The NSF cancelled hundreds of grants totaling over $230 million, including research related to DEI and misinformation. This decision is in line with the Trump administration's executive orders limiting DEI-related activities. The cancellation also affected grants on topics unrelated to DEI, such as the spread of unsubstantiated information, citing compliance with an executive order on restoring freedom of speech.
The changes have led to criticism from research organizations and stakeholders, who argue that the cancellation of grants hinders scientific progress. Scientists are caught in a political tug-of-war, impacting their work. The NSF also faces potential workforce reductions.
The NSF, established in 1950, funds scientific research across various fields, primarily through universities and research institutions.