
What the NSF Board Firing Means for Grant Writers, Federal Funding & Freelancers
From Grant Writing & Funding by Holly Rustick
May 19, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 454
About this episode
Holly Rustick discusses the implications of the National Science Board's dismissal for grant writers and the future of federal funding.
The Doors are NOW Open to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy until Sunday, June 21st at 11:59 pm EST. Join NOW so you can Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Part-Time Hours, Writing Grants from Home. The Academy is a 12-month Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program where you have everything you need to learn how to write and win grants and set up or streamline a freelance grant writing business. This is the FINAL time we are offering the Academy at this price. JOIN NOW. In this episode of the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast, Holly Rustick breaks down the shocking dismissal of all 22 members of the National Science Board and what it signals for the future of federal funding, philanthropy, and grant strategy. Holly shares why this moment matters far beyond NSF grants and how shifting agency priorities are creating both uncertainty and opportunity across the nonprofit and research sectors. You’ll learn how organizations are responding to changing funding landscapes, where grant funding is moving in 2026, why foundation funding is surging, and how freelance grant writers can position themselves as strategic consultants instead of just proposal writers. Holly also discusses why…
People in this episode
Host: Holly Rustick
Topics covered
- federal funding
- grant writing
- nonprofit strategy
- freelancing
- funding trends
- strategic consulting
Keywords
- grant writing
- federal funding
- nonprofit
- freelancers
- funding opportunities
- strategic consulting
- NSF
- National Science Board
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: National Science Board, NSF, Grant Writing & Funding
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