A staple since COSSAās 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.Ā
Latest from the White House (October 28)
Universities Reject Trumpās Higher Education Compact As previously reported, nine of the nationās leading research universities received letters from the White House earlier this month urging that they agree to the Administrationās Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The Compact lays out several conditions that align with the Presidentās agenda and ideology. In exchange, universities that sign on would perceive preferential treatment for federal funding, including research grants. The original nine universities were given until October 20 to respond with feedback. Since then, MIT was the first university to officially reject the offer, stating āIn our view, Americaās leadership in science and innovation…
ICYMI: Changes Made to NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Last month, the National Science Foundation released the latest solicitation for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which is typically made available in July. The solicitation states that it still intends to announce awards in April, consistent with previous years, despite the delay in releasing the opportunity. The deadline for social, behavioral and economic sciences, STEM education and learning, and psychology is November 12. The GRFP has seen its share of challenges over the years, most recently being the major reduction in awards in 2025 and greater emphasis on computer science among the awardees. Several concerns have been expressed by the research community in response to this…
Nominations Open for 2026 Sage-CASBS Award
The Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University and Sage are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Sage-CASBS Award. Both CASBS and Sage are members of COSSA. Established in 2013, this award recognizes exceptional contributions in the behavioral and social sciences that advance our understanding of pressing social challenges. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will deliver a public lecture at CASBS in the spring of 2026. The deadline for nominations is December 19, 2025. More information can be found here. This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Anne Tighe.
AERA Holds Its 22nd Annual Brown Lecture in Education Research
On October 23, the American Educational Research Association (AERA), a COSSA governing member, hosted James A. Banks, professor and founder of the Center for Multicultural Education at the University of Washington, as its 2025 annual Brown lecturer. The Brown Lecture aims to continue the legacy of the Brown v. Board decision by highlighting the role of research in advancing educational equality. In his lecture, Rethinking Brown When Diversity and Equity Are Imperiled and Democracy Is Fragile, Banks discussed the recent attacks the Trump Administration has made on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and drew upon existing studies to offer…
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 canāt do it alone. Your tax-deductible contribution makes it possible for COSSA to continue its advocacy work,…
No End in Sight for Government Shutdown as Congress Clashes Over Expiring ACA Subsidies
On October 1, federal funding lapsed in the absence of a budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026, shutting down the federal government for the first time since the historic thirty-five-day shutdown under President Trumpās first term. As previously reported by COSSA, Senate Democrats clashed with the Republican majority over a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) that did not address Democratsā concerns over extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, reversing some of the Medicaid cuts enacted in the ābig, beautiful bill,ā and including language to prohibit funding cuts and pocket recissions. While both parties are generally supportive of extending the ACA subsidies, so far Democrats…
Latest from the White House (October 14)
9 Universities Asked to Sign White House Compact in Exchange for Funding Earlier this month, nine of the nationās leading research universities received letters from the White House urging that they agree to Trump Administration priorities in exchange for federal funding. The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education lays out several conditions, such as freezing tuition rates for five years, capping international student enrollment, agreeing to the Administrationās definitions of gender, and ātransforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spart violence against conservative ideas.ā In return, institutions that sign the compact will be guaranteed: ā(i) access to…
NIH Senior Officials Terminated After Administrative Leave
Five senior officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been officially terminated after having been placed on administrative leave earlier this year. These include: Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Diana Bianchi, director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Eliseo PĆ©rez-Stable, director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities; Shannon Zenk, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research; and Tara Schwetz, NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. The affected institutes have been led by acting directors since March.
ICYMI: Trump Rescinds BLS Nomination
On September 30, the Trump Administrationās nomination for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), EJ Antoni, was rescinded. As previously reported by COSSA, President Trump fired Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after the initial release of the August jobs report and accused her of falsifying the released data. While the agency has continued operations in the absence of a commissioner, BLS will not be releasing the monthly jobs report during the government shutdown (see related article). It is currently unclear who President Trump intends to nominate in Antoniās place. Follow COSSAās continued coverage on BLS here.
Register Now: AAPSS 2025 Moynihan Lecture
This fall, the American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS), a COSSA member, will award the 2025 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize to distinguished scholar on Ukraine and European authoritarianism, Timothy Snyder. This annual prize honors āsocial scientists, public officials, and civic leadersā who use āinformed judgement to advance the public good.ā Every year, the winner of the Moynihan Prize gives the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lecture in Washington D.C. Snyder will deliver this yearās lecture on October 30, followed by a conversation with Executive Director of the Womenās Foreign Policy Group, Alexa Chopivsky. If you are interested in attending this event, please…
Save the Date: Social Science Advocacy Day 2026
COSSAās 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. Thatās why COSSA is excited to share its newest resource ā COSSAās 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 ādevelop a new, more transparent model for ensuring that institutionsā essential research costs are adequately supported.ā The letter asks appropriators to support these efforts by: The letter remains open for additional signatures.
Federal Funding Set to Expire at Midnight with No Solution in Sight
As previously reported by COSSA, federal funding for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is set to expire tonight at midnight. It has been a tumultuous few weeks, with House Republicans passing a continuing resolution (CR) which, if enacted, would extend funding to November 21. The bill later failed in the Senate by 44-48 vote with Democrats and Republican Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voting against it. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote for the House-passed CR. Late last week, House and Senate Democrats put forward their own stopgap bill that would extend funding to October 31 with additional funding…
Fired CDC Director Testifies in Front of Congress
On September 17, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee invited Dr. Susan Monarez, the recently terminated Director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to testify in front of the committee on Restoring Trust Through Radical Transparency: Reviewing Recent Events at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Implications for Childrenās Health. As previously reported by COSSA, Dr. Monarez was publicly terminated by the Trump Administration for allegedly refusing to pre-approve recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) after concerns that the committee was not properly reviewing research and data (read more in her op-ed…
Latest from the White House (September 30)
Potential Government Shutdown is Taken to New Levels All eyes are on Congress this week as lawmakers face a potential government shut down starting October 1 (see related article). Government shutdowns, depending on how long they last, can be incredibly disruptive and damaging to federal agencies, programs, and workers, not to mention Americans who rely on them. Last week, the White House threatened to impose additional pain on the federal workforce if Congress is unable to agree to a temporary funding measure. In a recent email to agency heads obtained by Politico, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has directed…
Trump Administration Releases FY 2027 R&D Priorities Memo
On September 23, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued their annual memorandum to federal agencies outlining the Trump Administrationās research and development priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The memo is intended to inform the development of agenciesā FY 2027 budget requests. The memo continues to prioritize critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In addition, the Administration intends to focus on: āenergy dominance,ā including exploration of polar regions and oceans; national and economic security; health, including chronic diseases; and space exploration. The memo…
RFI: Education Department Seeks Feedback on Redesigning IES
On September 25, the Department of Education published a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback on redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The request follows the Trump Administrationās appointment of Dr. Amber Northern to reform the institute in May (see previous COSSA coverage). Included in the request is a list of suggested areas for comment, including how to: Comments should be submitted here by October 15.
Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee Meets for the First Time
As previously reported by COSSA, the Independent Census Scientific Advisory Committee (I-CSAC) met on September 18 to discuss several items that were scheduled to be reviewed by the federal advisory committee prior to its abrupt termination, including the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance System; Determining the Privacy Loss Budget for the IRS Use Case; and the Environmental Impacts Frame. Barbara Entwisle, who served as the Chair of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC), began the meeting by emphasizing that the goal of the independent committee is to continue to āprovide scientific expertiseā and āconstructive feedbackā to ensure an accurate and timely 2030…