A staple since COSSA’s earliest days, the biweekly COSSA Washington Update newsletter provides members and the public with comprehensive coverage of policy developments impacting social and behavioral science research.Â
New Special Feature:Â Science in Service: Behavioral Research Applications across Federal Agencies
The Science in Service: Behavioral Research Applications across Federal Agencies Special Feature demonstrates how behavioral science helps government agencies better serve the public through evidence-based decision-making. The articles demonstrate applications across consumer protection, financial regulation, pharmaceutical oversight, health insurance policy, and government benefits administration, illustrating how behavioral research informs regulations, improves public-facing programs, and supports more effective policy implementation. Together, the papers highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists and practitioners, revealing how behavioral insights can strengthen public institutions, improve outcomes for citizens, and generate new opportunities for advancing both science and public service. This Special Feature was organized by Alycia…
Call for Nominations: AAPSS 2027 Moynihan Prize
The American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) announced they are currently accepting nominations for the 2027 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize in Social Science and Public Policy. The Moynihan Prize is an annual honor created to recognize social scientists, public officials, and civic leaders who advance the public good through informed judgment and the application of social science research to policy and practice. The winner will deliver the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lecture on Social Science and Public Policy in Washington, DC, next fall. Nominations must be submitted by November 1, 2026. Find more information about the Moynihan Price and submission details…
Congress Returns from July Recess
As previously reported, consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations bills slowed as Congress left Washington for a two-week July 4th recess. While the House managed to advance all twelve of its bills through committee, the Senate has repeatedly delayed their consideration of several bills, including the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill that funds the National Science Foundation. Complicating things further, Senate Republicans’ dwindling majority worsened following the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the continued hospitalization of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY). While the Senate Republicans had reportedly drafted their bills without the input…
House Appropriations Committee holds OMB Oversight Hearing
On June 30, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government held an oversight hearing on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with testimony from Director Russell Vought. During the hearing, several House Republicans, including Chairman David Joyce (R-OH), questioned Vought on OMB’s budget; and Vought praised the Administration’s efforts to end “fiscal futility.” Ranking Member Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Representative Glenn Ivey (D-MD) also expressed disappointment that the Committee did not hold a budget hearing before voting on the appropriations bills (see previous coverage). The line of questioning quickly turned to unreleased fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriated funds and…
Scientific Community Responds in Force to OMB Proposed Rule
More than 340,000 public comments have been submitted in response to the proposed rule, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, that seeks to make major changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal financial assistance, including federal research grants. The deadline for comments was July 13. Organizations and individuals used their comments to register deep concerns about the proposed changes and their potential impacts on the U.S. research enterprise and our diminishing global competitiveness. COSSA’s comments, which have not yet been posted officially to regulations.gov, is available here. According to the proposed rule, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) set an implementation date of…
The “DOGE” Era Ends
The so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” or DOGE, which was created by executive order on President Trump’s first day in office, was officially dismantled on July 4 in accordance with the termination date set in the executive order. DOGE, previously led by Elon Musk, is responsible for much of the upheaval felt by federal agencies and the research community over the last year and half, including mass federal worker layoffs and grant terminations. The entity, which was originally tasked with finding $2 trillion in government savings, most recently claimed to have reduced federal spending by $215 billion. However, in a recent hearing before…
Department of Education Proposes Rule to Eliminate Title VI and Fulbright-Hays Regulations
On July 1, the Department of Education issued a proposed rule, International Education Programs and Fulbright-Hays Program; Recission of Regulations, that would rescind federal regulations related to the administration of these programs. The proposal states that rescinding the regulations would grant the Department “greater flexibility” in their implementation and execution of the programs and allow them to “align such programs with current and evolving priorities and needs.” Notably, the Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs have been repeatedly proposed for elimination by the Trump Administration and the House in recent budget requests and appropriations bills. Public comments are due July 31. Stay…
NAS and NAM Name Neil Shubin and Monica Bertagnolli as New Presidents
On July 1, Neil Shubin began his tenure as president of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and Monica Bertagnolli as president of National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Prior to his appointment, Shubin led a molecular biology and paleontology research laboratory at the University of Chicago. Bertagnolli previously served as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Director of the National Cancer Institute under the Biden Administration. Notably, Bertagnolli is the first woman to serve as President of NAM. This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Caroline Seo.
COSSA’s Analysis of the FY 2027 House LHHS Appropriations Bill for Federal Science Agencies
On June 9, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill, which provides annual appropriations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Education, Department of Labor, and other agencies. This is the latest bill advanced by the Committee as part of Chairman Tom Cole’s (R-OK) plan to consider all 12 annual spending bills by the July 4 break. While the Senate was scheduled to begin marking up their bills this month, more pressing issues delayed the chamber which…
Register Now: Guidance on OMB’s Proposed Rule
On July 1, join COSSA for the next Headlines Webinar focused on providing guidance on the White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Proposed Rule. OMB issued a proposed rule in late May that would make major changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal financial assistance, including federal research grants. The rule seeks to implement proposals made by the Trump Administration through various executive orders and other actions taken since January 2025. Public comments are being accepted through July 13. This webinar will provide COSSA members with guidance on how best to respond to the proposed rule. Register now and join…
Senate Departs for July Recess After Appropriations Markups Delayed
Over the weekend, the Senate departed Capitol Hill for a two-week July 4 recess, and are not scheduled to return until July 13, leaving only a few weeks until August recess to consider their appropriations bills. Before their departure, the Senate Appropriations Committee again delayed consideration of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The bill, which was originally scheduled for June 4 and rescheduled for June 25, was postponed alongside several other appropriations bills (see previous coverage). According to recent reports, the Senate Republicans’ dwindling majority amidst the recent hospitalization of…
House Science Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Federal Research Funds
On June 24, the House Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing titled, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Hearing – Safeguarding Federal Research Funds: The False Claims Act’s Role in Combating Grant Fraud. Witnesses included Robert Steinau, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of the Inspector General; Jennifer Springmann, Special Agent in Charge, National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of the Inspector General; and Brenna Jenny, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Commercial Litigation Branch, Department of Justice (DOJ). Chairman Rich McCormick (R-GA) began the hearing by expressing concern…
Resources for Commenting on OMB Proposed Rule
As previously reported, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a proposed rule in late May that would make major changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal financial assistance, including federal research grants. The rule seeks to implement proposals made by the Trump Administration through various executive orders and other actions taken since January 2025, many of great concern to the research community. Public comments are being accepted through July 13. COSSA is holding a members-only webinar on July 1 at 2:00 pm ET to provide guidance to members planning to comment. As of this writing, more than 70,000 public comments have been submitted. Many scientific…
NSF Seeks Comment on Grant Policy Revisions, Due Aug. 24
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to its grant policies. The changes are intended to bring NSF’s policy in line with the White House Office of Management and Budget’s sweeping proposed revisions to federal grant regulations released in late May (see related article). The draft would revise grant termination provisions, prohibit charging publication costs to awards, and eliminate references to fixed-price awards. It also clarifies that recovery of indirect costs on NSF awards is subject to the availability of funds, meaning organizations may not be able to recover their full negotiated indirect cost rates if award…
House Advances LHHS Bill, Senate Delays Markups
On June 5, the House Appropriations Committee released the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The bill was advanced out of the committee in a 34 to 28 vote along party lines. Earlier this year, the President’s request called for sweeping cuts to the federal agencies that fund social and behavioral science research (see analysis). While the House bill still includes cuts to several agencies, the House has largely rejected the deep cuts proposed by the Trump Administration. Notably, exceptions include several programs housed under the Department of Education,…
President Trump Executive Actions
Trump Administration Actions (all actions available here): Find COSSA’s full list of Trump’s Executive Actions and more information here or on the Social Science Space Tracker.
More than 8,000 Federal Employees Reclassified
As previously reported, the White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM) finalized a rule in February that expands the use of the excepted service by creating “Schedule Policy/Career,” a new category covering career employees in policy-influencing roles (see previous coverage). While OPM frames the change as a way to improve accountability and responsiveness, critics warn it weakens long-standing civil service protections. On June 3, President Trump signed an executive order officially reclassifying roughly 8,000 federal employees, making it easier for agencies to fire workers in policy-influencing roles. The Administration says the change will improve accountability while preserving merit-based hiring and whistleblower protections. Critics, including labor…
Research Community Organizing Around OMB Proposed Rule
As previously reported, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a proposed rule in late May that would make major changes to the Uniform Guidance governing federal financial assistance, including federal research grants. The rule seeks to implement proposals made by the Trump Administration through various executive orders and other actions taken since January 2025. Public comments will be accepted through July 13; public requests that the 45-day comment period be extended have been denied by OMB. As the research community prepares to respond, scientific and higher education groups are providing guidance to help make sense of the more than 400-page proposed…