Science Community News
NASEM Hosts a Webinar on Continuing Social-Environmental Research with Little to No Funding
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) in collaboration with the Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN), the Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS), and the Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) hosted a webinar titled “Opportunities for Doing Social-Environmental Research with Little to No Funding.” Following actions made by the Trump Administration to cut research funding and terminate grants, the webinar sought to equip researchers with creative ways to fund their research (see previous COSSA coverage). NASEM offered potential ways to cut down on costs, including utilizing secondary sources as well as meta-analysis. Furthermore, they highlighted local field studies…
Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee to Meet
On September 18, the Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee (I-CSAC), of which COSSA Board Member Sara Curran from the University of Washington is a member, is set to meet for the first time. I-CSAC, which was founded following the unprecedented termination of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, is accepting public comments that will be shared during the meeting (see COSSA sign-on letter opposing the termination of the committee). Comments can be submitted to CensusScientific@gmail.com until September 17 at noon ET. The agenda can be viewed here and the meeting will broadcasted live to the public here.
NASEM Releases Report on Simplifying Research Regulations and Policies
The Board on Higher Education and Workforce (BHEW) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has released a report, Simplifying Research Regulations and Policies: Optimizing American Science. The report praises the success of the U.S. scientific research enterprise while acknowledging that, as science has become more applicable and useful across varying disciplines, there has been a dramatic increase in federal oversight. It cites estimates that U.S. academic researchers today spend more than 40 percent of their research time on administrative and regulatory compliance. While federal regulations on scientific work can ensure research excellence, the current regulatory system can hinder…
NASEM Holds Meeting on Corrections and Retractions Guidelines
Last month, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) held a meeting of the study committee on guidelines for corrections and retractions in published scientific papers. The study committee heard presentations from Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, Caitlin Bakker, chair of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Working Group on Communications of Retractions, and Ivan Oransky, director of Retraction Watch. During the meeting, committee members debated how to balance the interests and responsibilities of competing stakeholders, such as universities, funders, and journal editors and publishers, and how to incentivize retraction investigations and publications….
Applications Open for the Next Cohort of New Voices Program
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced applications for the next cohort of their New Voices program are now open. The program invites applications from emerging U.S.-based leaders across all disciplines of the sciences, engineering, and medicine. Ideal candidates will have an established record of professional excellence and a demonstrated commitment to service beyond their immediate discipline and institution. Launched in 2018, the New Voices program aims to bring fresh perspectives from mid-career professionals to important dialogues around how science, engineering, and medicine are shaping the global future. Membership in the New Voices program offers the opportunity to join a…
NAS Accepting Nominations for 2026 Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) awards to be presented in 2026. Since 1886, the National Academy of Sciences has honored more than 1,000 individuals in the physical, biological, and social sciences through its awards program. 2026 Awards will be given in a variety of fields including artificial intelligence, computer science, mathematics, medical sciences, social sciences, psychology, and more. See the full list of awards here. Submissions will be accepted through Oct. 6, 2025. Learn more about the awards and the submission process here.
Call for Applications: NASEM’s Mirzayan Fellowship
The application window for the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is now open. This 12-week fellowship is intended for current or recent graduate students to gain a broader understanding of science and technology policy as well as to explore possible career prospects that engage science and policy communities. The newest session will run from March 2, 2026 to May 22, 2026. More information on how to apply is available here and the deadline to apply is August 20, 2025.
NASEM Hosts Second Annual State of the Science Address
On June 3, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted the State of the Science Address, an annual discussion on the status of science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) in the U.S. (see previous COSSA coverage). During her opening remarks, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Marcia McNutt, discussed the decline of the STEM workforce and interest in research and development (R&D) in the U.S., comparing the U.S. to global competitors, such as China. She briefly discussed the significant budget cuts and grant cancellations proposed by the Trump Administration, and the detrimental impacts they would have on the…
AAAS Accepting Nominations for 2026 Awards & Prizes
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announced that nominations are now open for the following awards and prizes: AAAS also sponsors a wide range of other awards and prizes recognizing scientists, engineers, authors, journalists and public servants for significant contributions to science and the public’s understanding of science. The deadline for all nominations is June 30, 2025 and winners will be announced in early 2026. Learn more on the AAAS website.
COSSA Remembers John Thompson
The social science community mourns the loss of John H. Thompson, who passed away earlier this month. Thompson dedicated nearly 30 years serving in the U.S. Census Bureau, including as Director from 2013 to 2017. After leaving federal service he became Executive Director of the Council of Professional Associations for Federal Statistics. Thompson also served as President of NORC at the University of Chicago (a COSSA member organization). The COSSA community is grateful for John’s commitment to federal statistics and service to the American people.
National Academy of Sciences Announces 2025 Fellows
COSSA congratulates the 150 newly elected fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, including the social and behavioral scientists from COSSA member institutions: Congratulations and thank you for your contributions to social and behavioral science research!
RESPOND: NASEM Survey on Administrative Burden
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has established a committee on Improving the Regulatory Efficiency and Reducing Administrative Workload to Strengthen Competitiveness and Productivity of U.S. Research. The second meeting on the committee is scheduled for May 21-23. The Committee is tasked with producing a fast-track, brief consensus report that includes options for federal actions to improve regulatory efficiency. To help inform this work, the Committee is seeking responses to a brief survey in which researchers can share their experiences with administrative burden and offer ideas for regulatory report. The survey is available here.
Science is US Report Shows How STEMM Workers Power U.S. Industries
On April 3, Science is US released the Science at Work report, an analysis the STEMM workforce’s impact on the U.S. economy. The findings reveal that in 2025, 34.1 percent of the U.S. workforce was engaged with STEMM-related roles, contributing $10.87 trillion – or 39.2 percent – of the nation’s GDP. The report defines the STEMM workforce broadly, encompassing individuals whose primary job functions involve science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine, regardless of the economic sector they may reside in. Acknowledging gaps in STEMM opportunities, the report highlights the need for coordinated efforts among educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to reinforce STEMM’s…
NASEM Requests Nominations for New Members of the Board on Human-Systems Integration
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking new members for the Board on Human-Systems Integration (BOHSI). Through interdisciplinary research, BOHSI provides stakeholders with objective, evidence-based advice concerning relationships between systems of individuals, organizations, and technology. Experts are requested in several areas, including workforce modeling, artificial intelligence, and traditional HSI specialties. The announcement can be found here and the deadline to submit nominees is April 14.
Cross-Sector Leaders Issue Vision for American Science and Technology
On February 25, a task force comprising more than 70 leaders representing science, industry, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector released the Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST). A launch event hosted by Axios was held in Washington, DC (video). COSSA Executive Director Wendy Naus served on the VAST task force. The VAST report contains a set of policy recommendations aimed at recalibrating and optimizing the U.S. science and technology (S&T) enterprise with an eye toward enabling American long-term economic prosperity, addressing societal challenges, and maintaining global leadership. The vision identifies three “avenues for action,” each containing recommendations for policy makers,…
DBASSE to Host Webinar Series on Assessing and Communicating the Quality of National Statistics
The Committee on National Statistics, housed within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), is hosting a three-part series to “discuss approaches to characterizing and communicating the quality of national statistics and statistical data”. As federal statistical agencies work to develop methods to more efficiently release statistical data, the committee will examine ways to communicate federal statistics as well as the quality and recommended uses of federal statistical data with the public as the use of fast response platforms and non-survey data sources grows. The sessions will…
NASEM Requests Nominations for Experts for Study of Quality, Credibility, and Relevance of U.S. Homeland Security Statistics
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is seeking experts for a new consensus study on the Quality, Credibility, and Relevance of U.S. Homeland Security Statistics. These experts will work with the Office for Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS), housed within the Department of Homeland Security, to ensure statistics within the agency align with federal standards, enhancing “the relevance, credibility, objectivity, and public trust of their statistics to support evidence-based decision making”. Experts are requested in the following areas: Nominations can be submitted here by January 8.
Currently Reading: CPI’s Census Accuracy Guides
The Center on Poverty and Inequality (CPI) at Georgetown Law released a series of guides designed for civil rights organizations, advocates, and policymakers. The Census Accuracy series includes: This series is intended to help stakeholders and organizations advocate for necessary research and reforms to ensure every community is accurately counted, promote robust funding for the census by emphasizing the need for accurate data to help ensure fair political representation and equitable resource distribution, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of census inaccuracies. Read the guides here.
CNSF Celebrates Science Committee Chairman Lucas’s Service
On October 19, the Coalition for the National Science Funding (CNSF), of which COSSA is a member, celebrated Representative Frank Lucas’s (R-OK) service to the scientific community as Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. With remarks from Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Brian Babin (R-TX), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Tom Kean (R-NJ), and other members of Congress, CNSF applauded the bipartisan effort of the Committee under Chairman Lucas’s leadership. Image: Representative Frank Lucas at CNSF Celebration (Credit: CNSF X Account)
NASEM Seeking Experts for Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has put out a call for experts to serve on the Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication which seeks to engage all science communities in an equitable and evidence-based way. The Board of Science Education (BOSE) is looking for a diverse group of 4-5 people to serve on the committee with expertise in health/science communications, artificial intelligence (AI), psychology, sociology, and more. The announcement can be found here and the deadline to submit nominees is November 29. This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Paige Kirkham.