First non-scientist nominated as NSF director

On March 2, 2026, US President has nominated Jim O’Neill as director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), potentially making him the first leader of the agency without a science or engineering background.

The nomination has been sent to the US Senate for confirmation.

O’Neill previously served as deputy secretary at the US Department of Health and Human Services and briefly as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has also worked in technology investment and was chief executive of the SENS Research Foundation.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, both in the humanities. If confirmed, he would become the first NSF director without an advanced degree in science or engineering.

The NSF director role has been vacant since Sethuraman Panchanathan stepped down in April 2025.