NASA is the latest federal agency to introduce a buyout program to reduce its workforce. The Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) allows employees to resign at a future date while continuing to receive pay. This move is part of a broader effort to cut costs and adjust staffing in response to major budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration.
On Friday, NASA’s acting Administrator Janet Petro said the agency is introducing new voluntary separation programs to help ease the transition for workers impacted by the changes.
“We are streamlining operations and aligning with mission priorities,” Petro said. “Starting next week, we will roll out voluntary separation tools, including the new Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), to manage workforce transitions in a thoughtful and transparent way.”
What sets NASA’s buyout offer apart from those at other agencies?
While most deferred resignations so far have kept employees on paid administrative leave only through 30 September, NASA’s program allows eligible workers to remain on the books until 9 January 2026. Some deemed essential to ongoing operations will stay even longer until 30 September 2026 with paid leave beginning in April of that year.
“NASA is taking a phased approach to streamline its workforce and reduce overall headcount,” NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner said in a statement.
“This gives employees the chance to leave while allowing the agency to stay fully equipped to carry out its mission.”
NASA centers have already warned staff about job cuts. At the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, leadership told employees they expect to cut 18% of the workforce.
Notably, President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal calls for a 24% cut to NASA’s budget and a 29% reduction in its civil service workforce.
Petro acknowledged and said NASA would “remain focused on maintaining the technical excellence and capability our mission demands.”
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