Controversial Statement by National Science Foundation Staff Members Put on a Temporary Pause
The Alexandria Declaration was a planned statement by employees of the National Science Foundation (NSF), expressing concern about a series of "politically motivated and legally questionable actions" taken by the Trump administration that threaten the integrity of the NSF.
Coordinated with the group Stand Up for Science, the declaration was intended to follow similar letters issued by scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The declaration would have outlined eight specific concerns regarding the administration’s impact on the NSF.
However, the Alexandria Declaration was placed on indefinite hold and never formally released. The delay and indefinite hold likely reflect fears of reprisal by the administration and possibly internal or external pressure given the politically sensitive nature of the complaints and the freeze on official NSF statements.
Parallels with NIH and EPA Protests
The Alexandria Declaration echoes concerns similar to those aired by workers at the NIH and the EPA. Earlier this month, a union representing more than 8000 EPA workers across the US called on Zeldin to reinstate those employees who had published the Declaration of Dissent, highlighting problems with the leadership of Trump-appointed administrator, Lee Zeldin.
Just a few weeks later, current and former EPA employees published the Declaration of Dissent, and the NIH document, reportedly endorsed by the NIH Fellows United union, expressed concerns about the Trump administration halting high-quality, peer-reviewed grants and contracts, dismissing crucial NIH staff, terminating key international research collaborations, and imposing a 15% cap on indirect costs.
The Bethesda Declaration
In response to the leadership of NIH director Jay Bhattacharya, several hundred current and former NIH employees signed the Bethesda Declaration, criticizing his policies. Notable signatories include Alan Leshner, former long-time director of the NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse, past chief executive of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Chemistry Nobel laureates such as Jennifer Doudna, Carolyn Bertozzi, and David Baker.
However, Bhattacharya responded that the Bethesda Declaration contains 'some fundamental misconceptions' about NIH's policy directions.
The Future of Scientific Integrity
The US plans to close the Chemical Safety Board by October, according to a separate business report, adding to the concerns about the administration's commitment to scientific research and integrity.
Rebecca Trager, a journalist who has written about related stories, including the House science committee airing NSF employees' dissent and a proposed decrease in federal funding for basic research under the Trump administration, continues to cover these developments.
In summary:
- The Alexandria Declaration, echoing concerns similar to those aired by workers at the NIH and the EPA, is currently on indefinite hold.
- The document voices serious concerns about administration policies threatening NSF’s scientific integrity.
- It was coordinated alongside similar protests by NIH and EPA scientists.
- The declaration was indefinitely delayed likely due to political pressures and fear of retaliation against NSF employees speaking out.
- Instead, a related statement was issued via congressional Democrats to press the matter publicly, reflecting employees’ calls for protection and support.
[1] Trager, R. (2025). House Science Committee Airs NSF Employees' Dissent Over Trump Administration Policies. The Scientist.
[3] Trager, R. (2025). Proposed Decrease in Federal Funding for Basic Research Under the Trump Administration. The Scientist.
[5] Trager, R. (2025). NSF Employees Call for Reinstatement of Colleagues Who Signed Declaration of Dissent. The Scientist.
- The Alexandria Declaration, a statement intended to express concerns about the Trump administration's impact on the National Science Foundation (NSF), has been placed on indefinite hold and never formally released, potentially due to political pressures and fears of reprisal.
- This delay follows similar letters issued by scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressing alarm over administration policies threatening the integrity of their respective institutions.
- The Bethesda Declaration, a related statement signed by several hundred current and former NIH employees, criticized the leadership of NIH director Jay Bhattacharya for his policies.
- The future of scientific integrity in the US remains a topic of concern, with the administration's commitment to research and wellness-related policies under scrutiny, as demonstrated by the proposed closure of the Chemical Safety Board and the continuation of political news coverage on the subject.
