At 12:01 a.m. this morning, the U.S. federal government shut down. This shutdown comes after weeks of negotiations and pressure tactics failed to bring Congressional Republicans and Democrats together on a budget for the 2026 fiscal year or a continuing resolution to fund the government for a few more weeks.
NSF
Posted inResearch & Developments
Scientists Ask NSF to Keep Only Antarctic Icebreaker Afloat
On 28 July, more than 170 researchers sent a letter to National Science Foundation leaders and Congress, urging them to reconsider the decision to terminate the lease of the Nathaniel B. Palmer, the United States’ only Antarctic research vessel-icebreaker (RVIB) and a key part of science operations around the White Continent.
Posted inResearch & Developments
NSF Scientists Denounce Trump Administration Policies
National Science Foundation employees are among the latest federal scientists to issue a statement expressing concern over the Trump administration’s actions. The statement refers to “a series of politically motivated and legally questionable actions by the Administration that threaten the integrity of the NSF.”
Posted inResearch & Developments
National Science Foundation Staff Booted From Headquarters
Staff at the National Science Foundation (NSF) were notified on 25 June that the agency’s office space, located in Alexandria, Va., will be taken over by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff, raising the question of where more than 1,800 NSF employees will work.
Posted inResearch & Developments
NSF Plans to Abolish Divisions
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) plans to abolish dozens of divisions across all eight of its directorates and reduce the number of programs within those divisions, according to Science.
A spokesperson for NSF told Science that the reason behind the decision was to “reduce the number of SES [senior executive service] positions in the agency and create new non-executive positions to better align with the needs of the agency.”
Posted inResearch & Developments
New U.S. Budget Proposal Slashes Billions in Funds for Science
President Trump’s proposed 2026 budget, released today, slashes non-defense discretionary spending by $163 billion, a 22.6% reduction from 2025.
Posted inResearch & Developments
NSF Stops New and Existing Grants
The National Science Foundation (NSF), one of the world’s leading funders of basic research, will “stop awarding all funding actions,” including awarding new grants and disbursing funds for existing grants, according to Nature.
Staff at NSF were told of the policy change in a 30 April email. The email did not give a reason for the funding freeze and did not say whether or when the agency would resume awarding funding.
Posted inResearch & Developments
NSF Cancels Hundreds of DEI and Disinformation Grants
The National Science Foundation has cancelled hundreds of grants to researchers working on projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as misinformation and disinformation.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Funding Uncertainties Hit Undergrad REUs, Grad Admissions
A freeze, then a defrost, of National Science Foundation funding has caused turmoil among undergraduate scientists applying to graduate programs or REUs.
Posted inNews
Two ROVs to Join the U.S. Academic Research Fleet
The midsize remotely operated vehicles, supported by federal grants, will help meet growing demand for submersible research vehicles.