The Director of the National Science Foundation, Sethuran Panchanathan (
In a statement addressed to colleagues, which was made available to the media, Panchanathan stated that he managed to “accelerate the key mission” and stated that it was time to transfer power. “I believe that I did everything in my power to speed up the agency's key mission and I feel that it is time for me to give the baton to the new management” – he emphasized in a message given to CNN by the agency spokesman.
He took the function of director Panchanathan in June 2020 after the nomination by Donald Trump (during his first term) and unanimous approval by the United States Senate.
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Resignation in the shadow of the controversial activities of the Trump administration
According to CNN, the director's resignation occurred In the shade of controversial activities of the Trump administrationwhich significantly influenced NSF activities. In January this year, the Government Efficiency Department (Doge) was created, which aims to reduce expenditure in the federal sector.
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Planned changes have reflected, among others on the system of scientific grants. At the beginning of April this year. The agency announced that it is canceled Hundreds of grants with a total value of over $ 230 million. (over PLN 860 million). According to the information published by NSF, the canceled grants included, among others Research related to “diversity, equality and integration (DEI) and disinformation”.
According to Politico reports, the management at the agency will temporarily take up the head of the staff – Brian Stone.
