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
COSSA’s Save SBE Toolkit
As COSSA has been reporting, the National Science Foundationās (NSF) Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE) is currently at risk of being eliminated. The Trump Administrationās budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027 would zero out funding for SBE starting next fiscal year without providing notice or explanation to the research community. COSSA is working with friends across the scientific community to fight back. We have created a Save SBE webpage with resources you can use in your own efforts to defend SBE and promote the work of the social and behavioral sciences. The latest resource is the SBE Messaging Guide. This document was prepared for…
New Action Alert: Tell Congress to Save NSF’s Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate!
On April 3, the Trump Administration released its budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2027. In it, the Administration states its intent to dismantle the National Science Foundationās (NSF) Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate in FY 2027. This proposal is alarming as the SBE Directorate is responsible for nearly two-thirds of funding for academic research in the social and behavioral sciences in the U.S. However, even more concerning are recent reports that NSF leadership plans to begin dismantling the Directorate this year. Such a move raises several red flags and likely violates current statute, not to mention sidesteps…
House Releases Markup Schedule for Science Funding Bills
On April 13, the House Appropriations Committee released the markup schedule for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations bills. The Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies Bill (CJS), which provides annual appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), and the U.S. Census Bureau, is scheduled to be reviewed by the CJS Subcommittee on April 30 with the full Appropriations Committee markup scheduled for May 13. The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Bill (LHHS), which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and…
HHS Secretary Defends FY 2027 Budget to House Appropriations Subcommittee
On April 16, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the Presidentās fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget request to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee (LHHS). The hearing highlighted several priority areas for the Administration, including chronic disease, vaccine efficacy, agriculture and food safety, rural health, and cyber and national security. During his opening statement, Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) offered his support to the Administration and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative; however, he stated that it would be unlikely for the Administration and Congress to āagree on areas for reduction.ā He…
House SST Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the State of Scientific Publishing
On April 15, the House Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on the State of Scientific Publishing. During the hearing, several members raised concerns over scientific integrity and reproducibility in research, publishing corporations and paper mills, open access to federally funded research, and the potential risks that artificial intelligence (AI) and competition with China pose on the scientific ecosystem. Witnesses included Carl Maxwell, Senior VP for Public policy at the Association of American Publishers; Kate Travis, Managing Editor at Retraction Watch; and Jason Owen-Smith, Executive Director at the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science at…
NSF to Host Webinar on Funding Opportunities for Research Security Practices
On April 29, the National Science Foundation (NSF) willĀ host a webinarĀ on the different funding opportunities offered across the foundationās directorates related to research security practices. The following NSF programs will participate: Research on Research Security; Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Economic Development; Law & Science; Security and Preparedness; Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace; Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact; and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure. RegisterĀ here.Ā Ā
Register Now: Enhancing Scientific Integrity: Progress and Opportunities in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Workshop
On April 23-24, the National Academy of Sciences will be hosting a workshop on “Enhancing Scientific Integrity: Progress and Opportunities in the Social and Behavioral Sciences“. This virtual workshop will bring together researchers, journal editors, publishers, funders, and scientific association leaders to identify practical, forward-looking strategies for strengthening data integrity and transparency in the social and behavioral sciences. Participants will explore innovative tools and frameworks to detect and prevent errors, promote accountability, and reinforce public trust in research. Discussions will also consider how journals, institutions, and professional societies can adopt fair, sustainable practices that support scientific rigor while ensuring accessibility for…
A Note from COSSA
Friends ā As Iām sure you have heard by now, the Trump Administration released its budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2027 last week, which seeks to boost military spending by more than 44 percent by slashing funding for domestic programs. Among the domestic accounts affected are federal science agencies for which, once again, the Administration has put forward budget proposals that would all but hand American science leadership to our global competitors. See the related article below for preliminary details about the budget request. There will always be budget proposals by unsupportive Administrations seeking to cut funding for things they donāt…
Register Now: Understanding NSFās Merit Review Updates with Wanda Ward
On April 9, join COSSA for the next Headlines webinar on changes to NSF’s Merit Review Process, the recently published “Merit Review for a Changing Landscape” Report, and what that means for social and behavioral science research. The webinar will feature specal guest Wanda Ward, Chair of the National Science Boardās Commission on Merit Review. 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,…
Trump Proposes Steep Cuts to Federal Funding in FY 2027 Budget Request
On April 3, the Trump Administration transmitted its fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget request to Congress. Included in the budget request are significant cuts that would decimate the U.S. scientific enterprise, including a repeated proposal to slash the National Science Foundationās (NSF) budget by more than half (see NSFās budget proposal here). The Administration has also proposed eliminating funding for NSFās Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE). Notably in previous appropriations bills, Congress has directed the agency to fully-fund the SBE directorate. The Administrationās proposal also repeats several provisions and reorganization proposals from the previous yearās request, including a proposal to…
Sen. Welch Requests GAO Report on Impact of Scientific Research
On March 24, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) sent aĀ letterĀ to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a full review of the economic, scientific, and national security impacts of the elimination of federal funding for scientific research. In the letter, he raised concerns about the Administrationās proposal of a 15 percent cap on indirect rates, arguing it would ācut $5 billion annually from university-based research nationwideā. Further, Sen. Welch highlighted the positive economic impact of scientific research, claiming that cuts to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) would result in a loss of economic…
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 Presidentās 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 enterpriseāincluding funding cuts, grant delays/cancellations, reorganization proposals, abrupt terminations, and mass layoffsā 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 Foundationās (NSF) Merit Review process. This webinar will feature the National Science Boardās 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 COSSAĀ member organizations. Watch for additional webinar announcements, and previous webinar recordings, on the COSSAĀ 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 Trumpās push to pass theĀ SAVE ActĀ (H.R. 22), Congressional appropriators have turned their attention to drafting fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations legislation. AsĀ previously reported, the House Appropriations Committee set deadlines for submitting funding requests for Members earlier this month. Following in the Houseās footsteps, the Senate Appropriations Committee released their guidance last week. Deadlines for each subcommitteeās requests can be foundĀ 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 Administrationās 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 COSSAās 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).