AIBS Leads 52 Science Groups in Urging Congress to Protect U.S. Scientific Research
On March 4, 2025, AIBS led 52 scientific societies and organizations in sending a letter to congressional leaders urging them to oppose recent executive actions that are harming the U.S. scientific enterprise.
"Recent actions have disrupted vital scientific research, impeded scientific meetings and review panels, delayed salary payments for students and postdocs, dismantled key workforce development programs, and caused the unnecessary loss of vital experts from federal research agencies," the groups noted. "We call on Congress to assert its constitutional authority and take immediate actions to reverse these policies, which threaten the integrity, progress, and global leadership of American science and technology."
The letter also urged Congress to prioritize robust federal investments in science and technology to prevent economic stagnation and the loss of the United States' competitive edge to other nations.
NSF Reinstates 84 Probationary Employees Following Court Ruling
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is reinstating 84 probationary employees who were terminated in February, following a federal court ruling that deemed the layoffs of probationary employees by the White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to be unlawful.
"OPM does not have any authority whatsoever under any statute in the history of the universe to hire and fire employees within another agency," U.S. District Judge William Alsup stated. He ordered the administration to rescind any directives requiring the mass terminations.
NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan ordered the immediate reinstatement of terminated probationary staff "with backpay and no break in service based on updated guidance from OPM and the federal courts." Of the 170 terminated staffers, 86 were classified as probationary and 84 as part-time experts, who are not covered by the reinstatement.
Before the ruling, NSF had already begun reinstating probationary employees who were veterans, military spouses, or individuals with identified disabilities, in response to OPM guidance that allowed agencies to retain those employees.
NSF's handling of the administration's workforce reduction directives has drawn criticism from congressional Democrats. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) criticized NSF's abrupt reclassification of hundreds of employees from permanent to probationary status and Democrats on the House Science Committee implored the National Science Board to "do everything in your power to stop the ongoing destruction" of NSF, citing the mass firings, grant funding freeze, and ongoing review of active awards.
While some fired NSF employees are being reinstated, the outlook remains uncertain for probationary employees at other agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which also laid off more than 600 probationary staff but has not yet announced reinstatements. At the Agriculture Department, a board that handles federal worker disputes ordered the Trump administration to reinstate nearly 6,000 probationary employees who were fired on or after February 13.
OPM has now revised its guidance on probationary employees in response to the court ruling, clarifying that agencies "have ultimate decisionmaking authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions."
Agencies are bracing for additional layoffs, as part of a broader reduction-in-force (RIF) strategy. After an initial round of roughly 1,200 firings, the National Institutes of Health has been ordered to cut its workforce back to 2019 levels, or at least 10% below its 2024 levels. The U.S. Forest Service is planning to layoff nearly 7,000 additional employees through forced reductions and early retirements, which is more than double the number of probationary employees recently fired, according to E&E News.
Democratic staff on the House Science Committee have created a survey to collect information from recently terminated federal science employees.
On February 26, the White House directed agency heads to submit two plans for further workforce reductions and reorganization: an initial plan by March 13 identifying agency units targeted for initial reductions, headcount target for reductions, and essential positions exempt from cuts; and a final plan by April 14 detailing all planned staff reductions, processes to ensure "no more than one employee [is] hired for every four employees that depart," and plans to relocate agency offices from D.C. to "less costly parts of the country."
Trump Moves to Relocate Federal Agencies
President Trump is advancing plans to relocate federal agencies as part of a broader effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy. The administration has ordered agencies to submit relocation proposals by April 14, targeting moves to "less costly" areas outside Washington, D.C.
In addition to relocations, Trump issued an Executive Order directing agencies to reduce government spending by downsizing the federal government's real estate footprint. Agency heads have 30 days to identify existing leases and determine whether to terminate them. The General Services Administration (GSA) has 60 days to submit a plan for "disposing of unnecessary" government-owned property.
These moves align with Trump's campaign pledge to shift up to 100,000 federal jobs away from Washington to "places filled with patriots," continuing efforts he began in his first term.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are among the potential targets for relocation and downsizing. While officials have not confirmed specific plans, the administration has hinted at significant changes for these agencies. The president announced in a Cabinet meeting that Administrator Lee Zeldin planned to cut 65 percent of EPA's staff, but the White House later clarified that he wanted to cut 65 percent of the agency's spending, not workers.
Federal employees were alarmed when a list of more than 400 government buildings slated for "disposal"-- including the Department of Energy's headquarters in Washington, DC and EPA regional offices--briefly appeared online before swiftly being removed. GSA initially published the list but later announced it would be republished "in the near future," leaving workers uncertain about their office locations and job security. While the White House and agencies have not provided clear explanations, GSA stated it is "exploring innovative approaches" to "optimize our real property portfolio."
Additionally, Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of over 700 federal office leases as part of the government downsizing effort. Axios reported that a major National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather forecasting office in Maryland is also on the list of offices that could see their lease terminated. Overall, 19 NOAA offices are on DOGE's list of lease cancellations, as well as 164 Interior Department offices and 22 National Park Service facilities.
Congress Debates Spending Plan as Shutdown Looms
Appropriators are close to finalizing a bipartisan agreement on overall government funding, but House Republicans, backed by former President Donald Trump, are pushing for a full-year continuing resolution (CR) to maintain flat funding levels through September. With a government shutdown looming on March 14, lawmakers look likely to pass a temporary funding measure, though its duration remains uncertain.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) supports the long-term CR, while Democratic leaders oppose it, arguing it would give Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency more power to cut federal agencies and hinder key programs. They instead support passing a short-term stopgap that would buy another month or so to write and pass full fiscal year 2025 spending bills.
Some Democrats and clean energy advocates, however, view the full-year CR as a temporary safeguard against deeper budget cuts and climate program disruptions, exposing divisions within their ranks. While many see it as a missed opportunity to advance clean energy policies, others argue it is a necessary compromise to maintain current funding and prevent further rollbacks.
House Republicans aim to hold a vote on the full-year CR this week. If it fails to pass, a shorter stopgap would be needed to keep bipartisan funding negotiations alive.
NIH Begins Terminating Diversity-Related Research Grants
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has begun terminating hundreds of active research grants, particularly those related to transgender health, gender identity, DEI in the scientific workforce, and environmental justice.
Documents obtained by Nature indicate NIH staff have been instructed to review and potentially cancel projects that no longer align with "agency priorities." Grants funding research in China and related to climate change are also under review. At least 16 termination letters have already been sent, with hundreds more expected. Science has identified more than two dozen grants that have been halted, and also reported that NIH placed seven employees, who previously worked in its defunct Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office, on administrative leave.
The terminations follow President Trump's Executive Orders restricting federal funding for gender-related studies and DEI initiatives. Critics argue the move is politically motivated and constitutes censorship of scientific research.
Going forward, NIH staff have been instructed to categorize new and ongoing projects based on their DEI involvement. Category 1 projects, solely supporting DEI activities, will not receive funding, while category 2 projects, which partially support such activities, must remove DEI components or face termination. Category 3 projects that do not support these activities but include some DEI-related language and category 4 projects that do not support any DEI activities, may continue provided any DEI language is removed from the application or progress report.
Termination of research on sexual and gender minorities has raised concerns among scientists about lost data and long-term research viability. Critics argue that terminating projects midway undermines efficiency and wastes previously allocated funds. The abrupt cancellations have sparked legal concerns, with experts warning that the terminations may violate a federal judge's order preventing a freeze on NIH grants. The legality of these terminations is likely to face further scrutiny in the coming months.
White House Freezes Government-Issued Credit Cards
The White House has imposed a 30-day freeze on the use of government-issued credit cards, potentially preventing federal scientists from attending conferences and acquiring lab supplies. Announced on February 26, the Executive Order also mandates a publicly posted written justification for federally funded conference travel.
The freeze affects government purchase cards, which are regularly used for expenses under $10,000, such as lab reagents and equipment repair, helping avoid the costly process of acquiring longer-term contracts. There may be exceptions for disaster relief or critical services, requiring approval by the agency's head "in consultation with the agency's DOGE Team Lead."
Federal health scientists worry the freeze will hinder critical operations, including purchasing medicine for clinical trials. Scientists fear the freeze could significantly impact public health research and efficiency, though agencies are seeking further guidance on possible exemptions.
NSF, NIH Cut Summer Research Opportunities
NSF and NIH are scaling back support for long-standing summer research programs that benefit thousands of college students, including those from underrepresented groups in science.
NSF is shrinking support for its Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, which provides $80 million annually to support undergraduate students to do original research. The agency recently declined to renew several grants from this program, possibly due to concerns over compliance with Trump's diversity funding ban as well as anticipated budget cuts. This has forced some universities to cancel plans to host students this summer.
Meanwhile, NIH has paused its Summer Internship Program, which supports students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare, with plans to resume in 2026.
NIH, OSTP Director Nominees Face Confirmation Hearings
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Trump's nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), pledged to support scientific funding but provided few specifics during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Bhattacharya appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on March 5. A health economist known for controversial COVID-19 views, Bhattacharya distanced himself from recent NIH turmoil, including staff layoffs and frozen grants. While he emphasized priorities like chronic disease research, research reproducibility, regulating "risky" pathogen research, and scientific dissent, he did not commit to restoring grant processing or rehiring employees.
A vocal opponent of COVID-19 lockdowns, he previously sued the Biden administration over alleged social media censorship of his views but lost in the Supreme Court. Bhattacharya is reportedly considering ranking universities by "academic freedom" to influence NIH grants. His nomination comes amid ongoing legal battles over NIH's reimbursement rates for universities. Last month, a federal judge had extended the order preventing the rate cut from going into effect. Then on March 5, another judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking cuts to overhead payments. The HELP committee will vote on his nomination on March 13.
The President's nominee to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Michael Kratsios, testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on February 25. Kratsios defended mass layoffs at federal science agencies, stating they were not specifically targeted at science programs but were part of a broader administrative transition. Pressed by Senate Democrats on how these firings support U.S. research, he maintained that evaluating personnel is "an important and necessary step" in a new administration. He argued that reducing regulations and prioritizing national interests would drive scientific and technological progress.
Kratsios argued for a "free-market approach" to scientific discovery and expressed support for U.S. leadership in emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and nuclear energy but deferred budget decisions to President Trump. While he backed federal R&D funding, he avoided committing to specific spending levels.
Administration Disbands Key Advisory Panels
The Department of the Interior, under Secretary Doug Burgum, has formally terminated six national advisory panels, including the Federal Advisory Committee for Science Quality and Integrity and the Public Lands Rule Advisory Committee, following an Executive Order from President Trump aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.
Also cut were the Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science, the Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names, Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee, and San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee. Burgum justified the eliminations by arguing that the panels had "fulfilled their purposes" and were no longer necessary. However, the decision has sparked concern among researchers, conservationists, and former panel members who argue that these committees provided critical guidance on environmental protection, public land use, and scientific integrity.
The Public Lands Rule Advisory Committee, established under former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, was meant to oversee the implementation of a Biden-era rule balancing conservation with land use. Its termination signals potential revisions or rollbacks of the policy, which had faced legal challenges from multiple states. The disbandment of the science integrity panel, which met only once before being axed, has particularly alarmed researchers. Former panel members warn that it could weaken oversight of scientific practices within the U.S. Geological Survey.
Critics argue that dissolving unpaid advisory committees contradicts the administration's goal of cost-cutting while undermining public input on key policy decisions. Some see it as a broader effort to shift government priorities away from environmental protection and scientific integrity.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disbanded two long-standing food safety advisory panels that provided scientific expertise on microbial threats and meat inspections to USDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before being shut down, the panels were working on reports about the potential of genomics to improve food safety, bacterial contamination in infant formula, and the use of AI in meat inspections.
The administration also disbanded five advisory panels that provided scientific and community guidance to the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick cited that their missions had been "fulfilled," a claim criticized by experts who argue the panels are essential for adapting to changing demographics and methodologies. Former Census Bureau Director Robert Santos called the move a mistake, warning it could weaken data collection and public trust. The dissolution comes amid broader policy shifts affecting gender identity data in federal surveys.
AIBS Signs Letter Supporting Robust NIH Funding, Research Infrastructure
AIBS has endorsed a community letter in support of robust funding for the National Institutes of Health and the protection of critical research infrastructure.
The letter, signed by 600 organizations and 3,511 private citizens, urges appropriators to prioritize robust funding for NIH in the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill and, in that legislation, preserve existing protections against cuts to reimbursement for NIH grantee Facilities and Administrative costs.
"The Administration's proposed policy to drastically reduce NIH funding by at least $4 billion would have immediate and harmful consequences--slowing scientific progress, delaying treatments and cures, and weakening the U.S. research ecosystem," the letter contends. "NIH funding is a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and medical breakthroughs, and this policy change would hinder our ability to remain globally competitive."
AIBS Joins Nearly 500 Organizations Nationwide to Voice Support for NOAA's Critical Services
AIBS joined nearly 500 organizations and businesses nationwide to urge Congress to oppose actions by the Trump administration to dismantle, privatize, or significantly diminish the critical services and functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"[S]tatements and actions from the new administration indicate intent to downsize, break apart, or even eliminate NOAA," the letter reads. "We remain gravely concerned about continued threats to the agency, including staff layoffs and intimidation, deep budget cuts, research censorship, and other actions that jeopardize its critical mission and services."
The letter calls on Congress to champion efforts to strengthen NOAA and to reject efforts to dismantle or diminish the agency. "If not stopped, further action by the administration to interfere with NOAA's critical services and mission could endanger our economy, health, public safety, and national security."
AIBS Joins Letter in Support of the National Wastewater Surveillance System
AIBS has signed a stakeholder letter urging House and Senate appropriators to support at least a $20 million increase for the National Wastewater Surveillance System within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Emerging Infectious Diseases program at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health, Human Service and Education appropriations bill, allowing the CDC to detect and track emerging infectious diseases.
The letter reads in part: "The CDC's Emerging Infectious Disease program protects Americans from outbreaks by building and sustaining public health laboratory capacity, developing diagnostic tests for emerging infectious diseases and responding to emerging outbreaks. The National Wastewater Surveillance System works in concert with these programs, serving as an early warning system for outbreaks. An increase of $20 million for Emerging Infectious Diseases will allow the CDC to maintain wastewater surveillance in a limited number of states, covering about 20% of the U.S. population."
Action Alert: Write to Congress about the Impacts of Recent Executive Actions on Science
Recent Executive Orders and directives have created widespread confusion and uncertainties for the U.S. scientific community. The abrupt freeze in spending, planned mass layoffs at the National Science Foundation, slashed indirect cost rates at the National Institutes of Health, and review of already approved federal research grants could severely undermine U.S. leadership in science and technology. These actions have led to disruption of vital scientific research, canceling of scientific meetings and travel, dismantling of critical workforce-focused programs, and delayed salary payments for students and postdocs-all hindering scientific progress at a critical time.
It is critical for scientists to communicate with their lawmakers about the far-reaching impacts of these policies and urge congressional oversight. Please take a few moments to write to your members of Congress using the template letter provided at the link below. We encourage you to personalize the message with your own stories and examples.
Take Action.
You may also call your members of Congress and leave them a voice message (look up their contact information).
AIBS Seeks Information on Status of Current Awards
Federal research agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, are reviewing previously approved awards to comply with President Trump's Executive Orders. This has created confusion and uncertainty in the research community, along with concerns about the potential termination of ongoing projects.
To gain clarity on the situation and potentially inform future advocacy, AIBS is collecting information about the status of current federal grant awards. In particular, we are interested in any official communication or notices you have received about an ongoing award. We would appreciate receiving any information you are at liberty to share. We will treat any information you send us as confidential unless you give us permission to share it.
Short Takes
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The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has joined a lawsuit in support of fired federal workers. The case brought by federal employee unions and nonprofit organizations asserts that the Office of Personnel Management's directive to fire probationary employees at the National Science Foundation and other agencies was illegal. In support of this, AGU is soliciting information about how federal actions against science, particularly firings of federal science employees, is affecting society.
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Some review meetings important for approving new grants are set to resume at NIH. Last week, the agency posted notices for 4 meetings to the Federal Register, including a kidney disease panel and three panels associated with cross-cutting Common Fund programs. NIH is required to post these meetings at least 15 days in advance. The administration had put a pause on all such notices, effectively blocking NIH from scheduling grant-review panel meetings. On February 26, NIH partially lifted the freeze, allowing the Center for Scientific Review "to begin sending notices incrementally" for 50 meetings. However, Federal Register notices remain on hold for study sections held by NIH's 24 grantmaking institutes and meetings of the NIH institute councils.
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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revoked an obscure policy called the Richardson Waiver, which required public notice and comment for certain department decisions beyond what is mandated by the Administrative Procedure Act. Kennedy argued that the waiver imposed unnecessary costs and slowed agency operations. Critics warn that the move reduces transparency and limits public input on key health and policy decisions, contradicting Kennedy's previous pledge for "radical transparency."
- On March 6, NIH announced plans to centralize peer review of all applications for grants, cooperative agreements, and research and development contracts within the agency's Center for Scientific Review. The agency says the move will save "more than $65 million annually by eliminating duplicative efforts across the agency."
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The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is seeking nominations of experts for a second global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services to be delivered in 2028. The fellows will assess relevant knowledge that has become available since the 2019 assessment and evaluate progress towards achieving the goals of sustainability and living in harmony with nature.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from February 24 to March 7, 2025.
Commerce
Council on Environmental Quality
Executive Office of the President
