New from COSSA
July Headlines Webinar Recording Now Available
On July 28, COSSA hosted the recent installment in the 2025 Headlines Webinar series. July’s meeting featured a discussion with research policy experts from COGR on topics like indirect costs, research compliance, and other timely developments impacting the social and behavioral science community. Featured speakers: The recording is now available on the COSSA website. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Meet COSSA’s Policy Intern: Eva Lettiere
Eva Lettiere started as COSSA’s policy intern in May. Before she signs off, she provided some reflections from her time at COSSA. How did you learn about COSSA and the opportunity to serve as a policy intern? I learned about COSSA through the director of career services at the University of Chicago, who sent me some summer internship opportunities she thought I might be interested in. Out of all of them, COSSA was the only one that truly captured my interest. I loved that the application process gave me the chance to talk about my experiences with social science research and…
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on July 28
On July 28, join COSSA for the next installment in the Headlines Webinar series. This month’s meeting will feature a discussion with research policy experts from COGR on topics like indirect costs, research compliance, and other timely developments impacting the social and behavioral science community. Come join the conversation. Featured speakers: The webinar will be taking place on July 28 at 2pm EST. Register here. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
COSSA Releases Complete Analysis of the President’s FY 2026 Budget Request for Social and Behavioral Science
On May 3, the Trump Administration released preliminary, high-level details of its fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request, referred to as a “skinny budget.” On May 30, additional details emerged. COSSA released a preliminary analysis for some government agencies on June 18, 2025. This document replaces the June 18 report and provides additional analysis. When considering an Administration’s budget proposal, it is important to remember that it remains a largely symbolic policy document outlining the Administration’s priorities for the year ahead. While it is possible that some of the President’s requests will be enacted, Congress has the final say over the appropriation…
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on July 28
On July 28, join COSSA for the next installment in the Headlines Webinar series. This month’s meeting will cover the latest policy updates and will feature guest speakers from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). Come join the conversation. Featured speakers: The webinar will be taking place on July 28 at 2pm EST. Register here. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on June 26
On June 26, join COSSA for the next installment in the Headlines Webinar series. This month’s meeting will focus on the release of the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget and what it means for the social and behavioral sciences. Come join the conversation. Featured speakers: The webinar will be taking place on June 26 at 2pm EST. Register here. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Now Available: May Headlines Webinar Recording
On May 21, COSSA hosted the most recent installment in the Headlines Webinar series. May’s meeting focused on the many challenges confronting higher education in this new political reality and featured guest speaker Tobin Smith, Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Public Policy at the Association of American Universities (AAU). The recording is available to view here. Recordings of previous Headlines webinars can be found on the COSSA website. Check back often for newly announced webinars.
NEW ACTION ALERTS: Urge Your Senators and House Representatives to Support FY 2026 Science Funding
Deadlines in the House of Representatives and Senate for FY 2026 funding requests are rapidly approaching. It is critical that lawmakers hear from you TODAY to urge their support for federal science agencies. One way that Members of Congress can express their support for science funding is by signing a “Dear Colleague Letter.” These letters, which are led or sponsored by one or sometimes several Members of Congress, are circulated to all Congressional offices to solicit additional signatures. The final letters are sent to the Appropriations Committees and typically urge the committee to include a specific funding level for an agency or…
Share Your Story with COSSA
Given current uncertainty about the future of the U.S. research enterprise, COSSA is collecting stories from the social and behavioral science community on how recent Executive Actions are affecting or have the potential to affect research and the scientific workforce. Your contributions will help the COSSA team as we share real-world, timely information with policymakers (e.g., Congress and federal agencies) about the impact these actions are having across the country. Your responses will remain confidential, and any stories used by COSSA will be anonymized and used anecdotally. You may provide your name and contact information in the survey, which would only be…
Tracking Current Federal Changes Affecting U.S. Education and Science
The arrival of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president brought with it a dramatic, chaotic and generally ideological assault on the status quo for American-based or -funded schools or researchers. Sage and COSSA have sponsored a page to help track actions – and reactions – to the flurry of activity in real time. The page is titled, Tracking Current Federal Changes Affecting U.S. Education and Science and is available here on Social Science Space. Continue to check back as we post new updates about Trump Administration actions concerning federal science funding, federal statistics and data, the federal workforce, higher education, and more.
Meet COSSA’s Policy Intern: Sarah Wang
Sarah Wang started as COSSA’s policy intern in May. Before she signs off and enjoys her summer, she provided some reflections from her time at COSSA. How did you learn about COSSA and the opportunity to serve as a policy intern? I initially found the COSSA policy intern position while searching for spring internship opportunities on Handshake, but my interest in the role truly solidified through my work at the time. This past fall, I was a fellow for Her Bold Move, a PAC dedicated to electing pro-choice women. Through the fellowship, I had the opportunity to work with Kenzie Shelstad…
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on April 29
On April 29, join COSSA for the next installment of the Headlines Webinar series. We will continue to cover the latest Congressional news, President Trump’s Executive actions, the federal budget, and more. The webinar will be taking place on April 29 at 1pm EST. Register here. If you missed COSSA’s recent webinars, you can find the recordings below: Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Social and Behavioral Scientists Take to Capitol Hill for COSSA’s Social Science Advocacy Day
On March 24-25, COSSA held its annual Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. Over 70 social and behavioral science researchers, students, and advocates from 17 different states headed to Capitol Hill to meet with more than 60 offices in the House of Representatives and Senate, all carrying a message about the need to prioritize funding for social and behavioral science research. COSSA is especially grateful to the sponsors of this year’s event. Thank you to all involved for making this such an impactful experience and stay tuned for news about Social Science Advocacy Day 2026!
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on March 31
On March 31, join COSSA for our next Headlines Webinar. We will continue to cover the latest Congressional news, President Trump’s Executive actions, the federal budget, and more. The webinar will be taking place on March 31 at 1pm EST. Register here. If you missed COSSA’s recent webinars, you can find the recordings below: Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
FINAL DAYS: Register for Social Science Advocacy Day 2025
Social Science Advocacy Day is days away! This event is a must for everyone invested in the fate of federal funding for social and behavioral science research and who believe this research is vital to inform sound public policy. Now is the time to act. Registration for COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day is open, but only for a few more days! You can register here. If you can’t be with us this year, keep an eye on your inbox for ways to advocate from home. Visit the COSSA website for the latest information on Social Science Advocacy Day.
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinars continue March 31
On March 31, join COSSA for a continuation of our 2025 Headlines Webinar Series. We will cover the latest Congressional news, President Trump’s Executive actions, the federal budget, and more. The webinar will be taking place on March 31 at 1pm EST. Register here. If you missed COSSA’s recent webinars, you can find the recordings below: Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Time is Running Out: Register for Social Science Advocacy Day 2025
The stakes for research funding are at an all-time high as we continue in a tough political and budgetary landscape. Social Science Advocacy Day is a must for everyone invested in the fate of federal funding for social and behavioral science research and who believe this research is vital to inform sound public policy. Now is the time to act. Registration for COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day is open, but time is running out! The event will be taking place March 24-25, 2025 in Washington, DC and you can register here. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor for Social Science Advocacy Day,…