A recent analysis by Nature magazine “shows that the Trump administration has terminated more than 100 advisory committees to science agencies — and reduced the transparency and independence of those that remain.” The reporting underscores why Americans should be concerned not only about the recent dismissal of all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), but more broadly about the amount, quality, and transparency of the advice that federal science agencies are receiving from experts outside the government.
While the House’s proposed cuts are less extensive than those proposed by the president in his FY27 budget request, if enacted, the House bill would inflict serious harm on the American scientific research enterprise.
The recent news that President Trump notified all 22 members of the National Science Board that they were being dismissed, effective immediately, has caused alarm in the scientific community because of the body’s unique role in leading the National Science Foundation – one of the world’s premiere research-funding agencies.
AAU President Barbara R. Snyder is deeply troubled by the administration’s reported decision to dismiss all members of the National Science Board.
FY27 | Issue Brief | National Institutes of Health | National Science Foundation | Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
AAU urges Congress to reject the proposed cuts to scientific agencies in the FY27 Presidential Budget Request.
FY27 | Press Releases | National Institutes of Health | National Science Foundation | Department of Energy | NASA | Federal Budget
A coalition of more than 140 universities, businesses, scientific societies, and professional organizations, including AAU, urged Congress last week to restore funding for the National Science Foundation to FY23 levels and to reverse cuts that occurred to the agency’s budget in FY24 and FY26.
The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) urges the CJS appropriations subcommittees to provide at least 9.9 billion dollars for the National Science Foundation in FY 2027 to restore cuts, sustain core research and education directorates (including STEM education and emerging technologies like AI and quantum), and strengthen U.S. scientific leadership, infrastructure, and workforce competitiveness.
As lawmakers consider measures related to securing federally funded research data and intellectual property, it is important to understand the current state of play for research security in the country to avoid new requirements that are duplicative, unnecessary, or counterproductive
Backgrounder | National Institutes of Health | National Science Foundation | Department of Defense | Department of Energy | Science & Security
The Association of American Universities urges Congress to fund the National Science Foundation (NSF) at $9.9 billion for FY27. Funding the NSF at this level will enable the United States to maintain and strengthen our global leadership in scientific innovation.