House Science Committee Democrats Demand Answers about OSTP’s Use of NSF Funds

On August 6, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and Representative George Whitesides (D-CA) sent a letter to Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Michael Kratsios demanding answers about allegations that OSTP is directing the use of National Science Foundation (NSF) funding. The letter comes after the release of OSTP’s report, Science: A New Golden Age, and Director Kratsios appearing before the Committee on July 22 (see previous coverage). During the hearing, Kratsios repeatedly denied OSTP’s involvement in the direct oversight of NSF funding and research priorities, stating, “I am not aware of anyone at OSTP that is working on individual grant approvals. I have never asked for that, and I would never condone that, and I don’t think any of us are” (see previous coverage). However, according to the letter, just two days following the hearing, rumors of an “exfiltration of $300 million from NSF’s mathematics and physical sciences directorates to fund an OSTP-led program” titled Grand Research Challenges would be reported by Nature (read the article here).

In response, House Science Democrats requested a briefing on the new initiative by August 14 that “must include an explanation of the program, a breakdown of how this program is being funded, and a thorough description of how OSTP has been involved in the internal processes at NSF.” The letter can be read here.