AAS Public Policy

@policy.aas.org

The American Astronomical Society aims to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe, in part through work as advocates for science.

Be an advocate for science. Applications for the AAS 2026 Congressional Visits Day are now open. In partnership with AAPT, we are bringing scientists to DC April 13–15 to meet with legislators. Training is provided—no policy experience required. Apply by Feb 1: aas.org/applications...

Applications Now Open for Congressional Visits Day 2026 | American Astronomical Society

Advocating for science comes down to effective communication. The main steps here are determining your message, developing a communication strategy, and identifying your member of Congress.

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We just broke down the Senate’s FY2026 CJS bill on the AAS blog! • NASA Science stays at $7.3 B (Astro +5%, Helio +10%, Planetary -6%) • NSF at $9 B (flat R&RA, +50% for facilities, –15% STEM Ed) Congress is listening, but the job is far from over. Read more here: aas.org/posts/news/2...

Senate FY2026 CJS Appropriations Report: NASA and NSF Details | American Astronomical Society

The Senate released its Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill and report for FY2026. Here we break down the provisions related to the astronomical sciences for NASA and the National Science Fou...

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Grateful to the Coalition for National Science Funding for spotlighting the power of NSF-supported research on Capitol Hill this week. NSF is essential to U.S. science — from advancing astronomy to training the next generation of researchers. Public investment matters.

The FY2026 President's Budget Request includes: 47% cuts to NASA Science. 56% cuts to NSF. 28% cuts to NIST. 14% cuts to the DOE Office of Science. These requests have serious implications for the U.S. scientific enterprise. Congress must reject this proposal. aas.org/posts/news/2...

The "Skinny" President's Budget Request for FY2026 | American Astronomical Society

The skinny version of the President's Budget Request for FY2026 was released on Friday, 2 May 2025. Let's take a look at what's (not) in it.

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Major science funding news: Reports suggest the White House may want to slash NSF’s budget by 55% — and the NSF director has just resigned. Congress is back in session, and deep cuts to federal programs are on the table. Catch up on this week’s policy developments: aas.org/posts/news/2...

Policy Update (29 April 2025) | American Astronomical Society

Reports from the Office of Management & Budget passback show massive cuts to the National Science Foundation. The Senate will vote to nominate the next NASA Administrator on Wednesday.

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🚨REQUEST FUNDS FROM CONGRESS for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. Deadline *tonight at midnight*. Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets: www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s... Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪

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Brett Morris@brettmorr.is · last yr.

Here's how to ask your Senators for *specific* funding levels for NASA, NSF, and Department of Energy Office of Science. It's simpler than you think! @aas.org @policy.aas.org 🧪🔭

Maryland voters: join me on the @aas.org Zoom on Friday at noon. I'll give a short summary of the congressional appropriations process, and I'll walk you through making your own request for funding for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. 🧪🔭 Zoom at noon on Friday, April 18: bit.ly/3Y1cJq2

AAS Action for Maryland Voters
Let's meet to submit Congressional Appropriations Requests for Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks. Join on Zoom on Friday, April 18
at noon Eastern at https://bit.ly/3Y1cJq2. 

We will show you how to request funds for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. We will walk you through the process to submit an Appropriations Request to fund agencies that matter to you.
Attendees from other states welcome!

This week we sponsored Faith and Logan, two undergraduate students, to attend the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop. They learned all about science policy and the federal policy-making process, and advocated for science with their congressional offices!

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This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country

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