US President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly dismissed all members of the National Science Board, according to two board members who said they were informed of their immediate removal on April 24.
The independent board, which consists of more than 20 members serving six-year terms, was established in 1950 to oversee governance of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and to advise both the president and Congress on science and engineering policy.
Board member Yolanda Gil said all 22 current members were terminated effective immediately without any explanation provided. She confirmed the information in an emailed statement, adding that the decision took effect on April 24.
“Yes, all 22 current members of the National Science Board were terminated on Friday effective immediately. No reason was given,” said Dr Gil, who is affiliated with the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute.
Another member, Professor Keivan Stassun of Vanderbilt University, also confirmed the dismissals and expressed disappointment over the decision. Both said the termination email did not include any justification.
The National Science Board plays a key advisory role in shaping US science and research policy, and its members typically include academics, representatives from national laboratories, non-profit organisations and industry.
Since returning to office in early 2025, President Trump has faced criticism from political observers who say his administration has sought to restructure independent institutions by replacing leadership with more aligned figures and removing dissenting voices.
A White House official responded that the board’s authorities, as established by Congress, may require updating, but stressed that the National Science Foundation’s operations remain unaffected.
“The NSF’s work continues uninterrupted,” the official said.
Dr Gil noted that similar actions have been observed across federal agencies, particularly those involved in scientific research, suggesting the move was not entirely unexpected.
Despite the dismissals, no further details have been released regarding replacements or the future structure of the board.
