Posted on 05/09/2025 5:59:05 AM PDT by cgbg
The National Science Foundation (NSF), already battered by White House directives and staff reductions, is plunging into deeper turmoil.
According to sources who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight NSF directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.
The current directors and deputy directors will lose their titles and might be reassigned to other positions at the agency or elsewhere in the federal government.
As soon as this evening, NSF is also expected to send layoff notices to an unspecified number of its 1700-member staff.
The remaining staff and programs will be assigned to one of the eight smaller directorates. Staff will receive a memo on Friday “with details to be finalized by the end of the fiscal year,” sources tell Science.
The agency is also expected to issue another round of notices tomorrow terminating grants that have already been awarded, sources say.
In the past 3 weeks, the agency has pulled the plug on almost 1400 grants worth more than $1 billion.
(Excerpt) Read more at science.org ...
Well, as ssomeone once advised about laid-off coal workers, "Let them learn to code."
Of course, nowadays coding is being done by AI.
I always thought they should combine biology and chemistry. Same with geology and physics. There should be fewer sciences.
What? No more tranny mice?
If universities want to study tranny mice they get to do it on their own nickel.
Check about time
Here’s a rundown on what the NSF does. You are thinking that there is no wheat, just all chaff. That is of course not true. After the initial chaos, some of the cancellations will certainly be renewed
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1. General Research Grants
Standard Grants: Support individual or small group research projects in various STEM disciplines, including biological sciences, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, computer and information science, engineering, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences. These grants fund curiosity-driven and use-inspired research with potential societal impact.
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER): Targets early-career faculty who integrate research and education. It provides five-year grants to support teacher-scholars in building a foundation for lifelong contributions.
Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER): Funds high-risk, high-reward exploratory projects with transformative potential. These are typically smaller, shorter-term grants for innovative ideas.
Rapid Response Research (RAPID): Supports urgent research needs, such as studies related to natural disasters or unforeseen events, requiring quick funding to capture time-sensitive data.
Research on the Science and Technology Enterprise (NCSES S&T): Managed by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), this program funds research on science and technology indicators, statistics, and methods. Proposals are due annually in January.
2. Education and Training Grants
Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): Provides three years of financial support (including a $37,000 annual stipend) for outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM education. Open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Funds research opportunities for undergraduate students, typically in groups of about 10, at host institutions. REU programs aim to develop research skills and are open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET): Supports K–12 and community college instructors to participate in research, enhancing their ability to teach STEM. Participants receive compensation for their involvement.
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT): Funds graduate students to engage in interdisciplinary research and training programs, fostering collaboration across STEM fields.
Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP): Supports graduate students from underrepresented groups to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM.
NSF Research Traineeship (NRT): Provides 12-month stipends for graduate students to develop skills for STEM careers through interdisciplinary training, courses, and research projects. Open to U.S. citizens and international students (international students as unfunded trainees).
CSGrad4US: A fellowship for bachelor’s degree holders returning to academia for doctoral studies in computer and information science and engineering. Includes a stipend and cost-of-education allowance. Applications are typically due in spring or early summer.
3. Undergraduate and Internship Opportunities
International Research Experiences for Students (IRES): Funds undergraduate and graduate students to conduct research abroad, mentored by foreign researchers. Participants build professional networks through small-group projects.
Summer Scholars Internship Program: A 10-week internship for undergraduate and graduate students to work in NSF offices, learning about science administration and federal policy. Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have completed at least their sophomore year.
Mathematical Sciences Graduate Internship: Supports doctoral students in mathematics, statistics, or applied mathematics to conduct summer research internships, primarily at national laboratories. Applications are due in fall or winter.
Pathways Internship Program: Offers paid internships for students in high school, college, or trade schools to explore federal careers in STEM fields. Applications are submitted through USAJOBS.
Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN): Supports graduate students with internships outside academia to enhance career skills.
4. Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Grants
Broad Agency Announcements (BAA): Issued by NCSES to fund research projects supporting strategic objectives, such as data infrastructure or statistical methods. Primarily for U.S. institutions of higher education and collaborators, with annual solicitations.
Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG): Support doctoral students’ dissertation research in specific fields, such as social, behavioral, and economic sciences, to advance knowledge and methodologies.
Conferences and Workshops: Funds events that foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation across STEM disciplines.
Law and Science Dissertation Grant (LSDG): Supports doctoral students researching the intersection of law and science, often involving social or behavioral sciences.
5. Infrastructure and Innovation Grants
Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (ACI) Program: Funds the development, acquisition, and provision of cyberinfrastructure resources, tools, and services to advance science and engineering. Supports research to expand future cyberinfrastructure capabilities.
U.S. Antarctic Program: Managed by NSF, this program funds research in multiple sciences in Antarctica, supporting logistics and infrastructure for peaceful and scientific research.
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR): Supports atmospheric and environmental research, with funding for facilities and collaborative projects.
Gemini Observatory: Funds astronomical research through twin 8-meter telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, supporting cutting-edge observations.
6. Recent Examples from Public Sources
Social Justice in Education: A grant of over $800,000 was awarded to train math and science teachers in promoting social justice and cultural responsiveness in high-needs schools.
mRNA Vaccines in Plants: A $500,000 grant to the University of California, Riverside, funded research on producing mRNA vaccines in edible plants like lettuce.
Important Notes
Eligibility: Most NSF grants are submitted by organizations (e.g., universities, nonprofits, tribal nations) on behalf of researchers. Some programs, like GRFP or REU, allow direct applications from individuals. For-profit organizations, state/local governments, and other federal agencies may be eligible for specific opportunities.
Funding Process: Proposals are evaluated through a merit review process based on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Applicants should consult the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for preparation guidelines.
Recent Challenges: As of May 2025, NSF has faced significant disruptions, including a funding freeze and termination of approximately 1,425 grants, particularly those related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and misinformation/disinformation, due to alignment with new agency priorities. A proposed 55% budget cut for fiscal year 2026 could further limit funding.
This makes me very happy. Science has become debased. Results manipulated to support conclusions. Study design a lost art. Money distributed on the basis of woke priorities.
A cleansing of the stables is due. Then perhaps America can return to being a force for scientific excellence and innovation based on reasearch.
I’ve never received an NSF grant but I’ve been involved with some of their programs. There were a few related to training of tech college students to working in the semiconductor industry that were quite productive. This was mostly in the mid ‘90s to early 2000s. A lot of wokeism took root to the detriment of the overall effort.
If grants are reviewed by insane leftists what we have is an agency of evil.
It is easier to shut it down than to try to weed out the crazies.
If grants are reviewed by insane leftists what we have is an agency of evil.
It is easier to shut it down than to try to weed out the crazies.
A reasonable use of grants these days would be on AI research and development focusing on specific tasks.
Developing AI that eliminated all lawyers and judges would be good.
Lol.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) probably puts out about 10% science and 90% left-wing propaganda.
It couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch of people.
I was blinded
By $$-Science-$$
something to do about dei and transgender no doubt
I remember from long ago that the problem was NSF was too political in their grants. To solve that problem congress decided to award grants directly, AND keep the NSF.
No, no. Re-assign them to northern Alaska. That way when they refuse they get no unemployment.
Most of the folks who get demoted will probably retire.
That said—agreed Alaska is an excellent Plan B—though I understand we are short of volunteers for the Antarctica science stations.
They don’t seem to do much that could be called essential.
Much of “science” has become a coven of “scientists” who have make work jobs and political intentions. LOL! Enjoy your “extended vacay”!
Isn’t it something that many “scientists” undermine “science” with their pursuit of grants and political motivation for their cause?
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