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It has been a particularly challenging few months for the National Science Foundation (NSF), between a massive, proposed budget cut in the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget, the President’s dismissal of the entire National Science Board (NSB), and an effort to eliminate the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE). The Population Association of America (PAA) is working side-by-side with its colleagues in the scientific research community, urging Congress to defend NSF. Below is an update on the latest actions and how you can help. 

Saving the SBE Directorate

PAA is working with its partners, especially with the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), to urge Congress to reject the President’s proposal to eliminate the SBE Directorate in FY 2027. PAA issued a statement in response to the proposed elimination of the SBE Directorate, which has been shared during meetings with key congressional staff whose members serve on committees responsible for funding and overseeing NSF. 

Fortunately, scientific societies outside of the behavioral/social science research community have also been actively engaged. In May, about 40 scientific societies spanning the physical, biological, and computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering fields signed a letter to the House and Senate appropriations committees urging them to reject the President’s proposal to eliminate the NSF SBE Directorate in their FY 2027 appropriations bills. The letter states, “Many of the nation’s most pressing policy questions have a scientific or technological component that needs to be understood through a human lens, including through integrated modeling and design approaches that combine technical systems with human behavior. That is where the research that SBE supports comes into play, providing crucial data and theoretical frameworks that inform work across the entire research enterprise, including the biological, computer and information sciences, engineering, and the mathematical and physical sciences.”

Another letter sent recently to Capitol Hill from Research!America notes, “SBE research is a force multiplier for federal investments in science and technology. Advances in artificial intelligence, public health, energy, cybersecurity, and defense depend not only on technical breakthroughs, but also on understanding how individuals, organizations, and societies respond to new technologies and policies.”

More information about the efforts to save the NSF SBE Directorate is available on COSSA’s Save SBE website. 

National Science Board

In April the Trump Administration dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), NSF’s policymaking and oversight body. Here too, the scientific community has responded in force, calling on Congress to assert its oversight authority by directing NSF to explain this decision and, as recommended by some groups, reverse it. In addition to countless statements issued in response to the action, including one by COSSA, is a letter signed by former NSF directors and NSB chairs as well as an open letter led by members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). Democrats in the House and Senate have also sent letters to the Administration requesting answers to several questions about move, including the legal and constitutional basis for the terminations and information on how the decision was made.

NSF Director

NSF has been without a confirmed director for more than a year. This coupled with the firing of the NSB means that decisions being made at NSF, including structural reorganization, the proposal to eliminate the SBE Directorate, changes to the merit review process, and the move to new office space, are being directed by acting leadership and the White House.

The President nominated Jim O’Neill earlier this year to be the next NSF director. O’Neill is not the typical pick for the NSF post as he does not come from the scientific community and does not appear to have experience in basic science. Given how little is known about O’Neill and his plans for NSF, PAA and other scientific societies have been urging Congress to hold a hearing with the nominee before a confirmation vote. NSF director nominees traditionally have not had confirmation hearings, although previous nominations were of individuals already familiar with NSF.

What Can You Do To Help?

It is important that PAA members act to amplify the messages that are being delivered to federal policymakers regarding the issues facing NSF, particularly pertaining to the future of the NSF SBE Directorate. There are two ways in which you can help:

1. Respond to the Action Alert — Through its Action Center, PAA has reposted COSSA’s Action Alert, calling on Congress to save the NSF SBE Directorate. Please respond to this action alert and share it with your colleagues to encourage them to do the same.
2. Share your Impact Story — PAA has opened a confidential portal where members can share their stories about how the loss of the SBE Directorate would impact their research and training. This information will be used to inform PAA’s internal advocacy efforts. Information will only be shared publicly with explicit permission from the individuals who submit their stories. 

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