Members of the National Science Board, a congressionally established advisory body that helps guide the work of the National Science Foundation, were notified Friday that they had been removed from their positions by the Trump administration.

The board members were informed that their service was terminated “effective immediately” on behalf of President Donald Trump.

The National Science Board, created in 1950, is designed to operate as an independent body composed of scientists and engineers from academia and industry. Members are typically appointed by the president but serve staggered six-year terms to ensure continuity across administrations. The board advises the National Science Foundation on research priorities and long-term scientific strategy.

The National Science Foundation funds research across a wide range of fields and has supported technologies behind medical imaging, telecommunications, and vision correction procedures.

The sudden removals prompted criticism from some Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said in a statement that the decision undermines the independence of the scientific advisory system and could weaken U.S. leadership in research and innovation.

One board member, Marvi Matos Rodriguez, a senior vice president in the energy sector focused on fusion research, confirmed she received the termination notice. She said she had served on the board since 2022 and described the role as one intended to provide continuity beyond shifting political administrations.

It was not immediately clear how many members were dismissed or whether replacements had already been selected. The White House and the National Science Foundation did not publicly provide additional details on the decision.