April 2026

The Trump administration dismissed all members of the National Science Board (NSB) on April 24.

At the time of the dismissal, NSB included 22 members whose expertise spanned the breadth of the scientific enterprise, including in STEM education research and the social and behavioral sciences. The action comes as the administration’s FY 2027 budget request includes a proposed 55 percent cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the elimination of its Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate.

The NSB plays a central role in shaping national science policy, recommending priorities for research and education in science and engineering in partnership with the NSF director. The board also establishes NSF policies consistent with national policies set by the president and the Congress and serves as an independent body of advisors to both the president and Congress and serves as an independent advisory board to both.

The board had been scheduled to meet on May 5. In its independent advisory capacity, the NSB chair typically joins the NSF director in engagement with Congress on agency priorities. In the absence of a functioning NSB—and without a permanent NSF director—it remains unclear how NSF will set and implement its strategic decision.

AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous issued a statement on April 26 in response to the dismissal of NSB members.