New from COSSA
Introducing a New COSSA Resource
COSSA is excited to announce its latest resource, COSSA 101: A Crash Course on the Federal Government. Through this series COSSA provides easy-to-understand information about the inner workings of the federal government and how they affect social and behavioral science research. The series begins with a brief on “What is a Government Shutdown?” Additional topics will be added in the days and weeks ahead including: “What is Appropriations?”, “What is an Executive Order?”, and “What is a Continuing Resolution?” Do you have a federal government topic you would like explained by COSSA 101? Send us your ideas.
Defend Social Science and Support COSSA Today
As the voice for social and behavioral science research in Washington, COSSA serves as a conduit between the research community and federal policymakers, both in times of opportunity and challenge. Like any cause, there is no single voice, strategy, or tactic that will compel our elected officials to appreciate and, more importantly, act to ensure robust and sustained funding for our sciences. Instead, it demands ongoing outreach and consistent engagement.COSSA is committed to the fight for social and behavioral science research. But we can’t do it alone. Your tax-deductible contribution makes it possible for COSSA to continue its advocacy work,…
Save the Date: Social Science Advocacy Day 2026
COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day will be taking place March 23-24, 2026 in Washington, DC! This signature, members-only event brings together social and behavioral science researchers, faculty, students, association professionals, and other advocates from across the country to meet with their elected officials in Congress to discuss the value of our sciences and the importance of federal funding. Stay tuned for additional details in the coming weeks. Early bird registration will be here before you know it! Until then, mark your calendars and share this exciting opportunity with your colleagues. We hope to see you in Washington, DC in March 2026!…
COSSA Publishes New At-Home Advocacy Toolkit
During these turbulent times, it is more important than ever that elected officials hear from their constituents. Members of the Congress were elected to represent the interests of you and your community; unfortunately, too few Americans utilize their right to engage with policymakers on the issues and concerns confronting their communities. That’s why COSSA is excited to share its newest resource – COSSA’s At-Home Advocacy Guide! This free resource contains information on how you can impact federal policy from anywhere by calling and emailing your Members of Congress, attending a Town Hall meeting in your community, or responding to organizational Action…
COSSA Lends Support for New F&A Model
COSSA has joined more than 160 national organizations in a letter to House and Senate appropriators expressing support for the work of the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs (JAG), specifically its efforts over the last several months to “develop a new, more transparent model for ensuring that institutions’ essential research costs are adequately supported.” The letter asks appropriators to support these efforts by: The letter remains open for additional signatures.
REGISTER NOW: Headlines Webinar on September 23
On September 23, join COSSA for the next installment in the 2025 Headlines Webinar series. The COSSA team will be providing updates on recent policy and funding developments impacting the social and behavioral science community, discuss Congress’ plans for averting a government shutdown (or not), and analyze the latest actions taking by the Trump Administration. Join the conversation. The webinar will be taking place on September 23 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.
NEW ACTION ALERTS: Prioritize Science Funding and Oppose the So-Called Equal Representation Act
Two new Action Alerts have been published in the COSSA Action Center: Urge Congress to Prioritize Science Funding! Over the past few months, Congressional appropriators have been drafting key legislation that will determine funding for federal science and statistical agencies for the next year. With the proposed massive budget and staffing cuts in the Presidential Budget Request, the stakes have never been higher. While Congress is likely to pass another year-long continuing resolution (CR), it is essential that our community fights for federal science funding and the scientific workforce. Now is the time to ACT! Write to your Members of Congress urging their support for…
COSSA Releases 2024 Annual Report
COSSA’s 2024 Annual Report is now available. Check it out to learn more about COSSA’s activities and successes over the past year. Find out how your organization can become a member of COSSA on our website.
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.