Help us ensure a strong year for US science.
The deadline for Congress to sign letters in support of robust funding for NSF and NASA Science is March 10 and 11, respectively. Take two minutes to urge your Rep to sign on today:
aas.org/urge-your-re...
aas.org/urge-your-re...
Be an advocate for science. Applications for the AAS 2026 Congressional Visits Day are now open. In partnership with AAPT, we are bringing scientists to DC April 13–15 to meet with legislators. Training is provided—no policy experience required. Apply by Feb 1: aas.org/applications...
We just broke down the Senate’s FY2026 CJS bill on the AAS blog!
• NASA Science stays at $7.3 B (Astro +5%, Helio +10%, Planetary -6%)
• NSF at $9 B (flat R&RA, +50% for facilities, –15% STEM Ed)
Congress is listening, but the job is far from over.
Read more here:
aas.org/posts/news/2...
That’s correct! The cuts that we’ve seen in the President’s Budget Request are just the initial *request* that gets the appropriations process started. Congress ultimately has the power of the purse.
The Senate reconciliation bill passed yesterday is separate from the annual appropriations process, which determines funding for our federal science agencies. Learn more about the differences here: aas.org/posts/news/2...
Your Senators have until tomorrow to request robust levels of funding for NASA, NSF, and the DOE Office of Science - use our easy form to request that they do so today!
aas.org/advocacy/get...
AAS members sent over 1300 emails urging House members to sign a letter in support of NASA Science, resulting in 83 signatories!
Now it is time to urge our Senators to support NASA Science! Deadline to sign this letter is Wednesday, May 21, so act now!
aas.org/urge-nasa-su...
Grateful to the Coalition for National Science Funding for spotlighting the power of NSF-supported research on Capitol Hill this week. NSF is essential to U.S. science — from advancing astronomy to training the next generation of researchers. Public investment matters.
Already written to your members of Congress? 📢 Take a minute to amplify your voice! Share why strong federal support for science research matters to YOU on your social media. Tag your representatives and use #SaveScience and #WeekOfAction to spread the message far and wide! 🚀✨
The FY2026 President's Budget Request includes:
47% cuts to NASA Science.
56% cuts to NSF.
28% cuts to NIST.
14% cuts to the DOE Office of Science.
These requests have serious implications for the U.S. scientific enterprise. Congress must reject this proposal.
aas.org/posts/news/2...
Major science funding news: Reports suggest the White House may want to slash NSF’s budget by 55% — and the NSF director has just resigned. Congress is back in session, and deep cuts to federal programs are on the table.
Catch up on this week’s policy developments:
aas.org/posts/news/2...
Act now to support NSF!
🚨REQUEST FUNDS FROM CONGRESS for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. Deadline *tonight at midnight*.
Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s...
Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪
🚨 New AIP report: Restrictions on federal grants are straining physics & astronomy grad programs—fewer stipends, fewer students, fewer breakthroughs.
We must reverse this trend.
Support our researchers. Support science.
ww2.aip.org/statistics/i...
Here's how to ask your Senators for *specific* funding levels for NASA, NSF, and Department of Energy Office of Science. It's simpler than you think! @aas.org @policy.aas.org 🧪🔭
AAS Action for Maryland Voters Let's meet to submit Congressional Appropriations Requests for Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks. Join on Zoom on Friday, April 18 at noon Eastern at https://bit.ly/3Y1cJq2. We will show you how to request funds for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. We will walk you through the process to submit an Appropriations Request to fund agencies that matter to you. Attendees from other states welcome!
Maryland voters: join me on the @aas.org Zoom on Friday at noon. I'll give a short summary of the congressional appropriations process, and I'll walk you through making your own request for funding for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. 🧪🔭
Zoom at noon on Friday, April 18: bit.ly/3Y1cJq2
We will be holding a webinar from 1-2pm ET on Friday, April 11th to hear from some Congressional Visits Day participants. Join us to hear about their experiences and learn how to get involved in advocacy!
Register for the event here:
aas-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
This week we sponsored Faith and Logan, two undergraduate students, to attend the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop. They learned all about science policy and the federal policy-making process, and advocated for science with their congressional offices!
A huge thank you to our participants for your time, hard work, and passion. You all made this event an amazing success!
This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country
Advocacy for the Astronomical Sciences
The @policy.aas.org team will be hosting a webinar on 19 March from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET to discuss how you can take action to support the astronomical sciences. Come join us and get involved in science advocacy! aas-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
In case you missed it, here is our most recent Policy Update from Colin Hamill, Bahcall Public Policy Fellow: aas.org/posts/news/2....
AAS Alarmed by Rumored Deep Cuts to NASA and National Science Foundation
Recent reports have indicated that the White House may soon be proposing drastic cuts to future budgets for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). aas.org/posts/news/2...
