National Science Board Statement on NSF Director Panchanathan

April 25, 2025

As National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan steps down, the National Science Board expresses its admiration and gratitude for his years of public service, first as a member of the Board and then as Director of the Foundation.

Since President Trump nominated Dr. Panchanathan to serve as the Foundation’s 15^th director in 2020, Panchanathan has given the job his all. One word describes Panchanathan’s deep dedication to the National Science Foundation and what he accomplished as Director: fantastic.

Director Panchanathan’s energy and passion is unmatched. Whether he was testifying before Congress on behalf of the agency or interacting with STEM students, his exuberance for science and engineering and NSF’s mission of fueling U.S. innovation and developing domestic STEM talent was always evident.

Under his leadership, the NSF launched the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the agency’s first new directorate in 30 years. TIP is already paying dividends for the country: fostering economic development and innovation in America’s heartland and sunbelt, accelerating development of technology, and preparing Americans for the jobs of tomorrow to maintain our global competitiveness.

Through new multi-sectoral partnerships with industry and government agencies, Director Panchanathan amplified NSF’s delivery of its vital charge: “…to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.” Under Panchanathan’s leadership, the agency launched 27 AI institutes through public-private partnerships, seeded regional innovation engines through TIP, and empowered a broad array of institutions through the GRANTED program. Director Panchanathan also worked to unleash the STEM talent found in every corner of the country and at all levels, from skilled technical workers to researchers in areas of critical national need.

From TIP to AI institutes, to internal modernizations, and countless small things benefitting science and engineering, Director Panchanathan’s legacy will endure and prove transformational in the coming years.

Before President Trump selected Dr. Panchanathan to serve as NSF Director, he was our colleague on the National Science Board for 6 years, where he helped shape national strategy for the U.S. science and engineering enterprise and advance the NSF.

The National Science Board thanks you, “Dr. Panch” for sterling service to our country.

The Board will work to continue Dr. Panchanathan’s legacy of building partnerships across all sectors, developing the nation’s STEM workforce at all levels, and supporting science and engineering of the highest merit to deliver economic, workforce, and national security benefits to the American people.  The NSB encourages all sectors to work together in a spirit of unity for the continued benefit of the S&E enterprise across America.

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