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.
NIH Requesting Comments on Strategic Plan
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a request for information (RFI) asking for stakeholder comments on the proposed framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2027-2031 slated for an FY 2027 release. Rather than focus on specific research opportunities or institute initiatives, NIH releases a strategic plan every five years to highlight the achievements of the agency and set broader priorities. The proposed framework for the new strategic plan highlights several goals, including improving foundational knowledge of human health and disease, addressing public health challenges across the lifespan, developing and advancing interventions, treatments, and cures, improving infrastructure and…
Trump Announces New Members to PCAST
On March 25, President Trump announced his first appointments to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), the body of external advisors charged with making science, technology, and innovation policy recommendations to the President and the White House. In a departure to past PCASTs, the appointees include several private sector executives in the tech sphere, including returning members Lisa Su and Michael Dell who served in the Council during the Biden and Bush Administrations, respectively, in addition to Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison. Additional members are expected to be appointed at a later date. Notably, none of the appointees have…
Social and Behavioral Scientists Take to Capitol Hill for COSSA’s Social Science Advocacy Day 2026
On March 23-24, COSSA held its annual Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. Over 85 social and behavioral science researchers, students, and advocates from 24 different states headed to Capitol Hill to meet with more than 90 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 2027!
Urge Congress to Prioritize Robust Science Funding in the FY 2027 Appropriations Bills
Congressional appropriators are preparing legislation that will determine funding for federal science and statistical agencies for the next year (FY 2027). With recent attacks on the scientific research enterprise—including funding cuts, grant delays/cancellations, reorganization proposals, abrupt terminations, and mass layoffs— it is essential that our community fights for federal science funding and the scientific workforce. The stakes have never been higher. Send a message to your Senators and Representative TODAY and tell them why it is critical that they prioritize funding in FY 2027 for the the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Institute of Education Sciences, National Institute of Justice, Bureau…
Register Now: April Headlines Webinar
On April 9, join COSSA for the latest Headlines webinar discussing the proposed changes to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Merit Review process. This webinar will feature the National Science Board’s Wanda Ward and will look at what changes to merit review could mean for social and behavioral science research. Register now and join the conversation. If you missed our March Headlines webinar covering recent policy developments and tips on how to advocate from home, you can find the recording here. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Congress Begins FY 2027 Budget Hearings
While Congress continues to grapple with a lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and President Trump’s push to pass the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), Congressional appropriators have turned their attention to drafting fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations legislation. As previously reported, the House Appropriations Committee set deadlines for submitting funding requests for Members earlier this month. Following in the House’s footsteps, the Senate Appropriations Committee released their guidance last week. Deadlines for each subcommittee’s requests can be found here. Congress has also been holding hearings on budget and policy priorities for various departments and agencies, including the National Institutes of…
House Appropriations Committee Holds NIH Oversight Hearing
On March 17, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with testimony from Director Jay Bhattacharya. The hearing comes after Bhattacharya testified in front of the Senate Health, Education, and Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in February (see previous coverage). Bhattacharya, who has also been serving as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director since February in addition to his role as NIH Director, fielded questions on a variety of topics, including the Trump Administration’s delays in grant distribution, indirect costs,…
Submit and Register for the Data Foundation’s Genesis Mission Virtual Forum
Join the Data Foundation for a dynamic virtual forum focused on the Genesis Mission Executive Order. The Order establishes a sweeping national initiative to accelerate AI-driven scientific discovery through the creation of the American Science and Security Platform. This public forum invites researchers, policy experts, technologists, advocates, university research leaders, and federal partners to examine the Order’s immediate implications for university-federal research collaborations, particularly workforce pathways that will shape how higher education institutions engage with this initiative, and the new partnerships and data governance frameworks may be necessary. The forum will aim to educate and garner actionable insights for university and nonprofit leaders…
Social Science Advocacy Day: LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
It’s your last chance to register for COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day taking place March 23-24, 2026 in Washington, DC! This annual event brings together social and behavioral science researchers, faculty, students, association professionals, and other advocates from across the country. Together, we’ll meet with elected officials in Congress to discuss the value of our sciences and the importance of federal funding. Join the 80+ advocates representing 23+ states slated to attend. Register now and don’t forget to check out our sponsorship opportunities (some including free registrations).
Register Now: March Headlines Webinar
Ahead of COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day, join COSSA for the next Headlines webinar, “Making Your Voice Heard in Washington: Day of Action“. The COSSA staff will cover recent policy developments, share tips on how to advocate from home, and provide ways for you to get involved during Advocacy Day! Register now and join the conversation. Headlines is a webinar series available to COSSA member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSA website.
Congress Kickstarts FY 2027 Appropriations Process; DHS Shutdown Continues
As Congress continues to grapple with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) lapse in funding, House Republicans have reportedly left Capitol Hill for their annual retreat. As previously reported, some Members of Congress—including House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL)—are pushing for a second reconciliation package to increase funding for the Department of Defense. Notably, Members on both sides of the aisle have argued against funding the department outside of the normal appropriations bills and, according to recent reports, President Trump may remain unconvinced on the controversial measure. It is likely to be a point of contention during the retreat as…
House Science Committee Requests GAO Review of Federal and State AI Regulations
On February 18, the House Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Committee requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) produce a comprehensive review of Federal and State Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations. The letter, which was led by Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), highlights several legislative efforts taken to regulate AI in recent years and notes that the requested review is intended to “help ensure Congress has a clear understanding of the existing regulatory landscape as it evaluates the appropriate path forward for artificial intelligence policy.” Notably, the Committee pointed to several requests from…
US Science Funding Delayed Despite Congress Rejecting Cuts
According to reporting by Nature, federal science agencies continue to experience delays in receiving the okay to start spending their fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations from Congress. As previously reported, Congress completed its work on FY 2026 appropriations for most federal science agencies earlier this year. However, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been slow to approve agency spending plans, which are required to be delivered to OMB within 30 days of enactment of the appropriations bills. Traditionally, agencies had authority to start spending portions of their appropriations immediately and continuing in monthly increments until its spending plan…
Interim NSF Leadership Briefs NSB on Reorganization
The National Science Board (NSB), the governing and oversight body of the National Science Foundation (NSF), met on February 25. The agenda included a briefing on NSF’s new “management structure,” presented by Brian Stone, who is performing the duties of the NSF Director, and Micah Cheatham, NSF’s Chief Management Officer. The speakers discussed recent efforts to reduce the NSF workforce in response to White House guidance and executive orders on “optimizing the federal workforce.” In addition to reductions in force (RIFs) taken over the last year, NSF’s efforts have focused on reducing the ratio of executives to non-executives within the workforce, adding non-executive supervisors,…
Department of Education Receives Recommendations to Reform IES
On February 27, Department of Education Senior Advisor Dr. Amber Northern delivered a report, Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences, to Secretary Linda McMahon with recommendations on how to reform the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The report comes after Northern was appointed to the role in May in an effort to “modernize” the agency (see previous coverage). In September, the Department of Education also released a request for public comment on restructuring the agency, which reportedly influenced Northern’s recommendations (see previous coverage). About the report, she said: “IES has set the standard for high-quality education research these last 25 years,…
Social Science Advocacy Day: One Month Out!
COSSA’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day is taking place March 23-24, 2026 in Washington, DC! This annual event brings together social and behavioral science researchers, faculty, students, association professionals, and other advocates from across the country. Together, we’ll meet with elected officials in Congress to discuss the value of our sciences and the importance of federal funding. Register now and don’t forget to check out our sponsorship opportunities (some including free registrations).
Trump to Deliver State of the Union Address
As previously reported, President Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address later today amidst a partial government shutdown as Congressional lawmakers continue to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill with no end in sight. The State of the Union is expected to offer a preview into the President’s priorities for the year; however, full details are likely to emerge with the delayed release of the Presidential Budget Request. It’s currently unclear when the budget is set to be released. As with tradition, the Democratic Caucus will have the chance to…
Congress Requests Briefings from Scientific Research Agencies on Safeguarding Against Foreign-Linked Compromised Research
On February 5, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX) and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick (R-GA) sent letters to several agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), raising concerns about “falsified research” published from “paper mills” funded by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In their letter to NSF, the Chairmen wrote: “Such false research can negatively impact the scientific community and set back fundamental and critical research for years before it is identified. As a…
Science Agency Leadership Shakeups Continue
The White House recently announced plans to nominate Jim O’Neill as the next Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), placing a longtime health policy official and private-sector investor at the helm of the nation’s premier basic science funding agency. O’Neill most recently served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (see previous coverage). Earlier in his career, O’Neill worked at the Department of Health and Human Services during the administration of George W. Bush. He later moved into the private sector, investing in emerging technologies, including through the Thiel Foundation’s Breakout Labs program, which supports…
Neil H. Shubin Elected President of the National Academy of Sciences
On February 4, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced that Neil H. Shubin has been elected as the Academy’s next president. His five-year term will begin on July 1. Shubin was first elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2011 and has served on several of its committees, including the Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and the Advisory Board of LabX. Previously, Shubin served as the Vice Dean for Academic Advancement and Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago. “I am honored to be elected to lead the National…