In Brief
Take Action: Urge Congress to Reinstate the National Science Board
On April 24, the White House issued a notice of immediate termination to all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB). The Board, established alongside the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1950, plays a pivotal role in shaping U.S. science and engineering policy, guiding investments that drive innovation and economic growth. Its’ design, a 24-member panel serving 6-year terms on a rotating basis, was by intention – to ensure continuity of oversight and to prevent a wholesale takeover by any Administration.
The Biophysical Society is calling upon Congress to reverse the termination order and allow the NSB to resume its duties and operate as intended. BPS is also calling on you to advance that message with your Representative and Senators. Take Action Now!
DOE AI Initiative Raises Concerns Over Squeeze on Research Funding
With the launch of the $293 million Genesis Mission at the Department of Energy (DOE), which is aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research, researchers applying to the Office of Science are going to face stiffer competition for their grants. Approximately 10% of existing research budgets within DOE’s $8.4 billion Office of Science will be redirected to support the Mission.
The shift comes as operational costs for large scientific facilities consume a growing share of the Office of Science budget, leaving less available for traditional research grants. In some programs, funding for new and renewed grants has declined, raising concerns about the sustainability of ongoing research projects.
Genesis gives researchers six weeks to apply for short-term grants of $500,000 to $750,000, intended as a bridge to larger awards. But shifting funds into the program has created uncertainty for scientists relying on traditional grants, especially as many existing awards near expiration.
The program also limits how many proposals institutions can lead and requires multi-sector partnerships, prompting internal selection processes at universities. Although DOE officials say funding may flow back through future awards, the initiative is already tightening budgets and increasing competition for research support.
White House Dismisses National Science Board En Masse
On April 24, the White House issued a mass termination of the National Science Board (NSB), undermining a critical pillar of U.S. science policy. The NSB, designed to operate free from partisan influence, provides oversight and strategic direction for the National Science Foundation (NSF), guiding investments that drive innovation and economic growth.
Created alongside the NSF under the National Science Foundation Act, the NSB ensures continuity in supporting the NSF’s $9 billion research mission. Its sudden dismissal—combined with the earlier departure of NSF Director Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan—leaves the agency without the leadership and oversight Congress intended.
BPS issued a statement denouncing the en masse termination and urging Congress to act swiftly to reinstate the NSB and push for the appointment of a qualified NSF director, warning that failure to do so risks long-term damage to the nation’s research enterprise.
NSF Graduate Fellowship Program Reaches Record Size in 2026
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected 2,599 students for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program this year, marking the largest cohort in the program’s history. The total exceeds the previous record of 2,554 fellows in 2023 and represents a 42% increase from last year’s cohort of 1,500.
The 2026 class was announced in two phases, with the second group of 500 fellows showing a concentration in fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum information science. Overall, the distribution of awards has returned closer to historical patterns, with engineering accounting for approximately 35% of fellowships and biology about 19%.
Other fields saw more modest representation. Computing and information science rose to 10% of awards, while psychology declined to 2%. Life Sciences was the discipline most represented among the honorable mentions, comprising 40% of the 1440 total. NSF reported receiving nearly 14,000 applications for this year’s competition.
The agency has also begun exploring partnerships with private-sector companies to help support future fellowship cohorts, while indicating that the current class will be funded through appropriated federal funds for fiscal year 2026.