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.
Dear Chair Moran, Ranking Member Van Hollen, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Meng,1
On behalf of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) – an alliance of more than 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses united in our advocacy for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – we write to respectfully request that your committees provide at least $9.9 billion for NSF in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027.
Investing in fundamental research is imperative to win the international innovation race. The United States cannot afford to cede leadership in the fields that will define the future—including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, advanced materials, and biotechnology. The catalyst for those transformative technologies is basic research, which often yields applications unforeseen at the time of discovery. NSF is the premier agency supporting basic research in all fields of science and engineering. No one can predict where the next breakthrough will emerge, so we must bolster research across disciplines and their intersections.
Funding NSF at $9.9 billion would restore NSF back to the FY 2023 level and reverse cuts that occurred in FY 2024 and FY 2026 appropriation bills. Protecting all NSF directorates will enable them to maintain and strengthen current programs and seed new ones. This will ensure that NSF’s research, infrastructure, education, and translation focus areas move forward. To keep America at the cutting edge of science, NSF must maintain critical infrastructure—such as top-rated physics and astronomy observatories and the nascent National AI Research Resource (currently in a small pilot phase)—as well as invest in major new facilities. This level of funding will also allow the Regional Innovation Engines to progress and facilitate new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate initiatives, such as Tech Labs and workforce development projects to strengthen innovation ecosystems.
Through research grants and programs supported by the STEM Education Directorate (EDU), NSF also builds the workforce powering U.S. innovation. In 2024 alone, NSF supported the training of tens of thousands of PhDs and postdoctoral researchers across all scientific fields, while also reaching more than 40,000 teachers and 120,000 K-12 students across the U.S. NSF also drives the education of advanced technical workers at more than 150 community colleges nationwide and works closely with industry and other partners on targeted training programs to meet labor market needs. We hope that in protecting EDU, you support programs that enable training pathways, innovate on AI education needs, and strengthen K-12 STEM education. NSF’s role in education and workforce is essential to a robust innovation ecosystem and our nation’s competitiveness.
Funding for NSF lags far behind the amount necessary to truly meet our national competitiveness needs and reach a golden age of American science. We encourage you to prioritize investments in NSF during the FY 2027 appropriations process by appropriating no less than $9.9 billion to protect U.S. science leadership, advance key emerging technology areas, strengthen NSF research infrastructure, and invest in the workforce of tomorrow to secure our competitiveness and security.
We thank you for your continued support of NSF.
Sincerely,
The Coalition for National Science Funding
1 CC: Senate Appropriatins Chair Susan Collins and Vice Chair Patty Murray, and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro