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 National Science Foundation terminated the probationary employees Tuesday, the agency confirmed. The National Science Foundation fired 168 probationary employees Tuesday as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, the agency confirmed.

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

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