NSF terminates 168 probationary employees amid mass federal firings
The National Science Foundation fired 168 probationary employees Tuesday as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, the agency confirmed.
In a written statement, NSF spokesman Mike England pointed to President Donald Trump’s executive order last week that included plans to reduce the size of the federal workforce as part of the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
“To ensure compliance with this E.O. the National Science Foundation has released 168 employees from Federal service effective today,” England said. “We thank these employees for their service to NSF and their contributions to advance the agency mission.”
He confirmed that all of the terminated employees were probationary.
NSF is an independent agency focused on science and engineering research. Much of that work is accomplished by making grants to U.S. colleges and universities, according to its website.
The news comes after reports of terminations across the federal government. While NSF didn’t provide a reason for the terminations, the stated reason for firings at other agencies has been “performance” — such as those at the Office of Personnel Management.
But union leaders and workers decry those claims. Last week, Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the performance claims lacked evidence and called the terminations an abuse of the probationary period. He said the union — which represents federal workers — would fight those terminations.
