Emilia Sykes Questions NSF Official on Federal Staffing Law Compliance

NSF Staffing Levels and Legal Compliance

• 📌 Representative Emilia Sykes questioned Dr. Rebecca Keiser, Acting Chief of Staff for the National Science Foundation (NSF), regarding staffing levels in the Office of Research Security Strategy and Policy.
• ⚖️ The CHIPS and Science Act mandates a minimum of four full-time equivalent positions in this office, in addition to the Chief of Research Security.
• 📉 On January 19th, 2025, the office had seven staff members, but this number has since decreased.

Current Staffing and Future Plans

• 📊 Currently, the office consists of the Chief of Research Security and three additional personnel, totaling four.
• 🚀 Dr. Keiser stated that the NSF is in the process of increasing resources and is coordinating with Sykes' team to ensure compliance and build a more robust office.
• 🤝 An additional representative is being added to the office, and a hiring plan is being developed to meet and exceed the legal requirements.

Research Security and Federal Workforce

• ⚠️ Sykes suggested that the reduction in staff may be a result of the previous administration's actions to discourage federal employees.
• 💡 Dr. Keiser affirmed that research security remains a priority for the NSF, and efforts are underway to strengthen the office.
• ⏳ The NSF anticipates having a more robust office within the next few months, pending HR actions and White House/OPM approval of the hiring plan.

External Threats to Research Security

• 🎤 When asked about threats to research security, Mr. Tilden stated that the Trump administration is not a direct threat, but shutdown or continuing resolution (CR) status hinders progress.
• 🗣️ Dr. Valdez and Dr. Evans confirmed that their work in research security continues as a priority, consistent with previous years.