Empowering
Physical Scientists

As the scientific landscape evolves, the agency faces increasing challenges that raise important questions about how NSF can best support the nation’s research enterprise for decades to come.

To help answer those questions, the American Physical Society, in collaboration with strategic partners, launched NSF Forward — an initiative to develop bold, actionable recommendations that will help position the NSF to meet the evolving needs of the nation, its citizens, and science. The form to submit your ideas is open until September 14.

The American Geophysical Union is documenting the real-world impacts of recent U.S. Administration actions that have resulted in cuts, delays, and disruptions at NSF and other science agencies, including any downstream and indirect effects (e.g., on jobs, research, funding, meeting attendance, scholarly publishing) on scientists, institutions, and facilities in the U.S. and worldwide, as well as on society at large.

There is no close date for this survey right now, but responses submitted before 31 August will be most immediately useful.

Federally-funded science is once again facing massive cuts, endangering American innovation and our STEM workforce. Join us in ensuring the future of U.S. science stays bright.

You can help by asking Congress to prioritize robust science funding to the sciences with this form from the American Physical Society.

All supporters of science are welcome to participate; APS membership or membership with a supporting partner organization is not required.

The FY2027 President’s Budget Request (PBR) was released on 3 April, and it once again proposes major cuts to our science agencies. We need your help once more to ensure that Congress takes swift and decisive action in rejecting the FY2027 PBR. Every voice makes a difference.

In this blog post, the American Astronomical Society will break down the details of the FY27 PBR for NASA Science, NSF, and DOE Office of Science, and we will highlight significant details as they relate to programs within the astronomical sciences.

The federal commitment to research and development (R&D) funding is at serious risk. Proposed cuts to 2027 funding would have immediate and long-term consequences for U.S. competitiveness, scientific progress, and economic growth.

Protect the research you conduct, the problems you solve, and the progress you enable. Your voice is one of the most effective tools to prevent these cuts. Take a few minutes to contact your elected officials and make the case for sustained federal R&D funding. This action from Optica is available to all U.S. residents.

AIMBE urges the scientific community to take a minute to send a congressional letter opposing the President’s FY2027 budget proposal. The proposed cuts to our scientific enterprise (e.g., NIH & NSF) would jeopardize training, research, and innovation driving the economy.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering has provided a form and letter template that you can edit as needed, or you can create an original message to send to your Members of Congress.

Fiscal year (FY) 2027 federal appropriations requests and the Biophysical Society needs your support to advocate for the highest funding levels possible for the Department of Energy Office of Science. Congress resoundingly rejected the drastic cuts proposed in the 2026 President’s Budget Request, but science could face similar cost-cutting proposals for FY27 when the President’s Budget Request is made public.

Use this form to compose your message to Congress.

The American Meteorological Society is deeply concerned by the repeal of EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, which correctly concluded that greenhouse gas emissions harm health and well-being for current and future generations.

AMS reaffirms key scientific conclusions of climate change that relate to the Endangerment Finding in this statement. You can read the full statement here.

The American Astronomical Society is deeply concerned about reductions in force at federal agencies, the cancellation and/or suspension of federal grants, and rumored deep cuts to science funding. Keep checking, AAS will update resources, information, and actions for AAS members during this challenging time. Request a membership waiver, seek meeting support for future AAS meetings, and other resources.

NASA’s science portfolio faces growing structural pressures driven not by technical shortcomings, but by budgetary instability, funding misalignment, and an increasingly compressed execution environment.

Read more about the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics assessment and policy considerations, not as an advocate for any single mission or organizational model, but as a neutral technical convener representing the engineers and scientists responsible for executing NASA’s mission.

After months of advocacy, extensive negotiations, and a record-breaking government shutdown, Congress has at last passed fiscal year 2026 budget appropriations for the agencies covered by the Commerce, Justice, Science and Energy and Water subcommittees. The appropriations bills include DOE, NASA, NIST, and NSF.

Use this page and template from the American Physical Society to submit your message to show Congress that we appreciate their support.

Scientists from dozens of disciplines with deep experience in climate, Earth, and environmental sciences, are denouncing the U.S. withdrawal from global organizations and treaties that support global cooperation on these critical issues.

The American Geophysical Union welcomes the global scientific community to sign on to a letter in opposition of the U.S. withdrawal from organizations and treaties that support global cooperation on climate, Earth, and environmental sciences.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will be dismantled, according to Administration officials. NCAR provides key weather and climate research and data that is critical for businesses, the public, and advancing research. Its advanced computing allows its to run weather and climate models that help predict severe storms, allows for farmers to prepare for long-term weather patterns, and airlines to fly safely.

Fill out this form from the American Geophysical Union to urge your members of Congress to speak out.

The past year has brought considerable uncertainty and cuts to the United States STEM workforce. This includes federal employees at science agencies such as NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy, as well as students and researchers nationwide.

Use this form from the American Astronomical Society to ask your members of Congress to support the Keep STEM Talent Act

This survey by the American Physical Society collects stories showcasing the transformative positive impact of NSF, NIST, DOE, NASA, and DOD-funded research and programs as well as what would be lost if support for basic research evaporates. You can document your experiences and share how recent executive actions have impacted you.

Take action! The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering is your public policy advocate. AIMBE outlines actions you can take to advocate for science and engineering. Check out this page for local, state, and federal resources.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering surveyed biomedical/biological engineering departments across the country to assess the impact of disruptions to research and training since January 2025.

Check out the survey results and infographics.

The American Meteorological Society has temporarily opened a variety of services to the entire community regardless of membership status. If you have been affected by ongoing cuts to U.S. federal budgets and staffing, please make use of any of these resources that you need.

It is up to you to be persuasive in support of your request or “ask.” That means explicitly showing the policymakers how supporting your ask benefits their and their constituents’ interests and fits with their values. Check out the American Geophysical Union’s worksheet for tips and guidance.

Preparation and purpose are both key to a successful meeting with a policymaker’s office. A well-crafted and practiced message helps your argument be heard and understood. Learn more from the American Physical Society.

With the serious issues the world is facing today, the role of Earth and space science is more vital than ever. It’s never been more important for scientists to make their voices heard. Your advocacy strengthens the voice of science and offers crucial testimony that only you can give.

Use this form from the American Geophysical Union to your representatives quicker, easier, and on the issues you care about most.

Take action for the scientific community by contacting your elected officials about important issues. Learn more about the American Physical Society’s 2025 advocacy priorities. Contact your members of Congress and make your voice heard through the portals on this page.

Creating a good one-pager ensures that legislators and their staff remember you, your science, and the issues you care about. Check out these tips and this template to create your one-pager as part of the American Geophysical Union’s Sharing Science Program.