The cuts at the foundation, which supports cutting-edge research, came as the nation’s health and science agencies were reeling from other significant cuts.

The federal government laid off thousands of probationary employees, including at least two National Park workers in Philadelphia, according to a union.

“I'm still processing this to some degree,” said a terminated probationary worker who wants to remain anonymous. She worked for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for almost a year, but late Saturday night, she received a letter from the Acting Chief Human Capital Officer at HHS.

Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.

The federal agency that funds science research says the staff reduction came in response to a White House directive.