The slashed funds, layoff plans, and cancellation of grants seem to stem from efforts by billionaire Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE). Based on Science, DOGE workers arrange store on the NSF on April 14.

In a letter despatched to NSF workers Thursday, April 24, and obtained by Ars Technica, Panchanathan solely hinted on the assault on the company’s analysis mission and funds cuts.

“Whereas NSF has at all times been an environment friendly company, we nonetheless took the problem of figuring out different potential efficiencies and lowering our commitments to serve the scientific neighborhood even higher,” Panchanathan wrote. “It is a pivotal second for our nation by way of international competitiveness. NSF is a particularly necessary funding to make US scientific dominance a actuality. We should not lose our aggressive edge. A considerate strategy to efficiencies and investments is extremely necessary.”

“I consider that I’ve achieved all I can to advance the mission of the company and really feel that it’s time for me to cross the baton to new management,” he wrote.

An inside supply advised Science Journal that Panchanathan “was attempting so onerous to current the company in a optimistic mild. However on the similar time, Panch knew that he was alienating himself from the scientific neighborhood by being tone deaf to their rising considerations in regards to the destiny of the company all of us love.”

Story up to date with particulars of a second NSF memo.