Trump picks biotech investor Jim O'Neill to lead National Science Foundation

Trump picks biotech investor to lead NSF

President Donald Trump plans to nominate biotechnology investor Jim O’Neill to lead the National Science Foundation. A White House spokesperson confirmed the planned nomination to Nature.

The NSF is one of the largest funders of basic research in the United States. It has been without a permanent director since April 2025.

Agency in turmoil after director's exit

The previous director, Sethuraman Panchanathan, resigned abruptly that month. His departure coincided with the Trump administration cutting hundreds of the agency’s research grants and proposing a massive budget reduction.

Hundreds more NSF grants were terminated following the director's resignation, creating significant upheaval in the U.S. research community.

O'Neill's background in biotech and government

Jim O'Neill is a managing director at the venture capital firm Mithril Capital, which he co-founded with billionaire Peter Thiel. His career has spanned both the private sector and government roles.

He previously served as a principal associate deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the George W. Bush administration.

O'Neill is known for his focus on life sciences and biotechnology investments. His potential appointment signals a continued emphasis on directing science funding toward applied, commercializable research.

NSF faces budget cuts and grant terminations

The NSF is navigating a period of profound disruption. The Trump administration has taken several aggressive actions against the agency since the start of the president's second term.

• The administration proposed slashing the NSF's budget by roughly 20%.
• It has terminated hundreds of existing research grants across various disciplines.
• The cuts have targeted areas including climate science, social sciences, and fundamental physical science.

These moves have drawn intense criticism from academic and scientific organizations. They argue the cuts undermine the nation's long-term scientific competitiveness and discovery pipeline.

Leadership vacuum adds to instability

The agency has been led by an acting director since Panchanathan's exit. This leadership vacuum has compounded the instability caused by the budget and grant cuts.

A permanent director requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate. O'Neill's nomination, when formally submitted, will likely face scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about the administration's science policy.

His lack of a traditional academic or scientific research background is expected to be a focal point during confirmation hearings.

The stakes for U.S. science funding

The NSF distributes over $9 billion annually to support fundamental research at universities and institutions across the country. It is a cornerstone of the U.S. scientific enterprise.

O'Neill's potential leadership comes at a pivotal moment. The direction he sets could reshape what types of research receive federal support for years to come.

The scientific community is watching closely, concerned that a shift toward exclusively application-driven funding could erode the basic research that leads to future breakthroughs.