People
OPM to pursue ‘mass deferment’ of deadlines for CyberCorps students
The extensions would occur once the government shutdown ends, the government’s personnel agency said. An exact deferment length was not given.
Artificial Intelligence
NVIDIA, NSF join forces with nonprofit to bring AI to scientific research
NVIDIA and the National Science Foundation will work alongside nonprofit artificial intelligence center Ai2 to create bespoke multimodal large language models tailored to scientific research.
People
HUD to move into the National Science Foundation headquarters, no current plan on where to relocate NSF employees
The Department of Housing and Urban Development had previously announced its intention to sell its current headquarters, which requires more than $500 million in maintenance repairs.
Emerging Tech
New NSF telescope aims to discover unknowns in space
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory leverages novel technological systems to search for interstellar objects and study dark matter.
Emerging Tech
Former NSF heads criticize funding, staff cuts at science agency
Former National Science Foundation and National Science Board leads sent a letter to congressional leadership saying the cuts to the agency run contrary to the Trump administration’s priorities.
People
NSF director resigns
Sethuraman Panchanathan confirmed his resignation to NSF employees and the public in two separate statements.
Policy
NSF cancels over 400 grants covering disinformation, deepfakes and STEM education
Some $328 million worth of research grants to institutions was canned amid a broader restructuring of the National Science Foundation. Disinformation research and empowerment of underprivileged people in STEM fields were prime targets.
Policy
NSF begins terminating select grant funding
Research projects that are deemed to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion or that aim to combat mis- and disinformation will no longer receive funding from the National Science Foundation.
Artificial Intelligence
New bill would codify an AI resource piloted under Biden
This year's version of the CREATE AI Act attempts to relieve the burden of funding the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource by inviting the private sector to help.
People
NSF CIO Terry Carpenter retires
The National Science Foundation selected veteran and deputy CIO Clyde E. Richards to serve as acting CIO.
People
NSF begins reinstating probationary employees
Following the federal court ruling, the Office of Personnel Management told agencies to begin the reinstatement of unlawfully terminated probationary employees.
Digital Government
168 employees fired at National Science Foundation
“Panch has been conveniently absent throughout this whole time,” said an internal email an NSF worker sent to fellow colleagues, referring to Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director.
Artificial Intelligence
NSF launches new AI initiatives for astronomy
Two new artificial intelligence institutions within the National Science Foundation will be dedicated to developing AI algorithms and models specific to astronomy and astrophysics data.
Artificial Intelligence
NSF launches AI-driven biotech research program
The National Science Foundation is funding five projects within its new BioFoundries program, which aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate research in biosciences.
Emerging Tech
NSF releases new framework for ensuring security in scientific research
The National Science Foundation will test the TRUST framework for its capacity to evaluate the potential risks of emerging tech research projects against national security needs.
Emerging Tech
NSF awards $36M to decarbonize computing
As part of the Expeditions in Computing program, the National Science Foundation awarded three academic cohorts funding to leverage emerging technologies into computing for more environmentally-friendly infrastructure.
Emerging Tech
NSF to issue framework addressing national security implications of sensitive research
The agency’s director noted that the TRUST framework — based on recommendations made in a recent advisory group report — will be unveiled “in the coming months.”
Emerging Tech
NSF pitches Congress on the potential of quantum technology
The National Science Foundation made a case for robust congressional funding in emerging tech research following budget cuts to the agency this year.
Emerging Tech
NSF Report shows US-China AI rivalry sharpening
The National Science Foundation’s State of U.S. Science and Engineering documents Chinese leadership in AI patents, and U.S. leadership says workforce is the solution.
Emerging Tech