Congress Enacts Full-Year Continuing Resolution
Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a Republican-led stopgap spending bill, which maintains federal spending near current levels until the end of fiscal year (FY) 2025 on September 30.
The seven-month spending bill increases defense funding by $6 billion while cutting $13 billion from nondefense spending compared to FY 2024 enacted levels. The measure lacks funding for most congressionally directed, earmarked projects. It does not include proposed cuts under the Trump Administration's DOGE initiative or legal protections against those cuts, leaving their status uncertain as courts assess their legality.
The bill includes flat funding for most research agencies, including the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy's Office of Science. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service would effectively be cut by $30 million.
The allocation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is $280 million lower than FY 2024 because of a reduction in targeted 21st Century Cures funding, resulting in a 21% budget cut for NIH's BRAIN Initiative and a 71% cut for the All of Us genomic project. The bill maintains language preventing the Administration from imposing a 15% cap on indirect cost rates, though the Administration is challenging this in court. Additionally, it implements a roughly $860 million or 57% cut to the $1.5 billion Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense that funds research on cancer, spinal cord injuries, and other disorders affecting veterans and military families.
Many Democrats opposed the measure, fearing it would further enable President Trump and Elon Musk to weaken federal agencies. The bill did not include the usual joint explanatory statement that provides congressional directions for spending. Democrats argued that this omission would give the administration more flexibility to allocate funds according to GOP priorities.
In the end, the House voted 217-213, mostly along party lines, to advance the measure. Despite initially opposing the bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ultimately supported advancing the bill, citing the severe consequences of a shutdown. Eight Democrats joined Schumer in voting to advance the bill to a final vote. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 54-46, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Angus King (I-ME) joining Republicans to vote in favor.
NASA Shuts Down Chief Scientist Office
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has abruptly closed its Office of the Chief Scientist, its Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, and the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) branch of its Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, resulting in the termination of 23 employees.
The Office of the Chief Scientist at NASA, separate from its Science Mission Directorate and without budget authority, advises the NASA Administrator and ensures scientific coordination across the agency. These closures, part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to downsize the federal government, leave NASA without an independent channel to provide scientific and strategic advice to its leadership--just as the agency plans to return astronauts to the Moon and explore Mars.
Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro described the layoffs as a chance to "reshape our workforce," but the decision has sparked concern among staff about the loss of long-term strategic thinking.
The closure of the DEIA office aligns with Trump's Executive Order to eliminate diversity initiatives across the government, while the reasoning behind the elimination of the other two offices is currently unclear. Critics fear that the closures, combined with potential drastic budget cuts rumored to halve NASA's science funding, could severely impact the agency's future research and exploration efforts.
EPA Plans to Gut Science Office
The Trump Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to eliminate its Office of Research and Development (ORD) and cut 50% to 75% of its staff positions, according to plans reviewed by Democratic staff on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
ORD serves as the EPA's scientific research arm. Its elimination would impact research on air and water quality, toxic chemicals, and pollution. Over the next month, the agency will determine which of its 1,540 research staff are necessary to meet its legal obligations to safeguard health and the environment. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin previously said he envisions cutting at least 65 percent of the agency's spending.
The plan, part of a broader effort to reduce the federal workforce, has been criticized by scientists and lawmakers who warn it will hinder the agency's ability to protect health and the environment. The cuts could also harm state agencies that rely on EPA research. Critics view the move as part of a larger attempt to undermine science-based regulations.
Trump Orders Dismantling of IMLS
On March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order intended to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) along with six other independent agencies deemed "unnecessary."
IMLS plays a crucial role in supporting museums and libraries nationwide, providing funding that helps these organizations strengthen their public outreach programs and contribute to community well-being. In the natural sciences, IMLS supports not only natural history museums but also living collections, such as botanic gardens.
On March 20, Trump furthered efforts to dismantle the IMLS by placing it under the Department of Labor and appointing Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling as Acting IMLS Director. "We will revitalize IMLS and restore focus on patriotism [to] preserve our country's core values [and] promote American exceptionalism," Sonderling said during his swearing-in.
Museum advocates fear that these changes could undermine federal support for science museums, potentially leading to mass layoffs and diminished impact.
Administration Terminating Science Advisory Committees
Following an Executive Order from President Trump aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy, several government agencies have begun eliminating science advisory committees.
The order, aimed at minimizing "government waste and abuse," not only calls for the elimination of several specific advisory committees, it also directs the heads of some agencies and departments to identify additional committees for termination.
While some federal advisory committees are established by Congress and cannot easily be terminated, many are non-statutory and can be shuttered by senior agency leadership. Agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have begun eliminating non-statutory committees, while the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is consolidating its Astrophysics, Biological and Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Sciences advisory committees into a single science committee. The National Science Foundation has not confirmed if they will eliminate any panels.
Among the science committees slated for termination are the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and National Environmental Justice Advisory Council at the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Climate Services Advisory Committee, the Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee, and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee at NOAA. The Administration previously disbanded key advisory panels at the Agriculture, Interior, and Commerce Departments.
Critics argue that these cuts undermine scientific integrity and limit valuable expertise. The move has sparked concern among scientists who view it as an attempt to silence independent scientific advice.
Science Agencies Ordered to Reinstate Probationary Employees
Judges in California and Maryland have ordered several science agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were recently laid off. The affected agencies include the Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
DOE responded swiftly by issuing a memo rescinding the hirings and reissuing equipment and badges so fired employees "can resume work as soon as possible." Other agencies, such as EPA, reinstated employees but placed them on paid administrative leave until further notice. Before the rulings, NIH had already reinstated 250 of the nearly 1,200 probationary employees laid off in February. Despite being rehired, many employees are uncertain about the stability of their positions.
The rulings are temporary, with the Maryland judge's order set to expire on March 27 unless extended and the White House appealing both decisions. Recently reinstated employees may still face layoffs due to ongoing reduction-in-force orders, which the California judge deemed could be done legally.
National Agricultural Library Cancels Journal Subscriptions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled nearly 400 journal subscriptions at its National Agricultural Library as part of cost-cutting measures under the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency initiative.
The cuts primarily impacted nonprofit scientific society and university presses, while for-profit publishers like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley were largely unaffected. Researchers expressed concern that losing access to these journals would hinder scientific work. USDA said it based the cuts on usage data but gave staff limited time to appeal the decision.
New Survey Highlights Impacts of Executive Actions on Postdocs
A new survey by the National Postdoctoral Association of 293 postdocs revealed that over half (54%) have been directly impacted by the Trump Administration's policies, with another 27% possibly affected.
Notably, the survey found that research funding cuts affected 37% of respondents. Additionally, 43% expressed concerns about job security, while over a third said their research faced delays or was at risk.
Federal funding, primarily from NIH and NSF, supports 87% of surveyed postdocs, but agency downsizing and funding freezes threaten this support. Postdocs expressed fear over job prospects and the future of American research.
AIBS Seeks Information on Student Summer Internship Opportunities
Recent reports indicate that federal agencies are scaling back support for student research and internship programs. The National Science Foundation is shrinking support for its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The agency recently declined to renew several REU grants, forcing some universities to cancel plans to host students this summer. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health has paused its Summer Internship Program, with plans to resume in 2026.
In response to these setbacks, AIBS is compiling a resource to highlight alternative summer programs for students and early-career scientists. Our goal is to help ensure continued professional development for the next generation of scientists.
If your society or organization offers or is aware of any summer research or internship opportunities for students and early career scientists, please share the details with us at membership@aibs.org.
AIBS Joins Coalition Statement on the Impact and Safety of Vaccines
In response to growing concerns over vaccine misinformation, declining public trust in science, and recent outbreaks of preventable diseases, AIBS joined a coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations to issue a unified statement on the impact and safety of vaccines, emphasizing the critical role of vaccinations in public health.
"We strongly support vaccination as a cornerstone of public health, a shining example of the power of scientific research, and a vital tool in the fight against preventable diseases," the coalition emphasized. "We urge everyone to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Together, we can continue to build a healthier and safer world for ourselves and future generations. We encourage all individuals to speak to their trusted healthcare professional regarding their personal medical care or if they have any concerns or questions about vaccines."
Read the statement.
AIBS Joins Coalition in Asking Congress to Provide At Least $9.9 billion for NSF in FY 2026
The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), of which AIBS is a member, has written to appropriators urging them to provide at least $9.9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year (FY) 2026. CNSF is an alliance of over 140 professional organizations, universities, and businesses that advocates for NSF.
The letter also encourages appropriators to "do everything possible to ensure that final FY 2025 appropriations supply the strongest level of funding to the agency and help the agency recover from the historic 8% reduction in FY 2024."
"Funding for NSF lags far behind congressionally authorized levels and the amount needed to truly meet our national competitiveness needs," the letter reads. "In 2022, Congress reauthorized NSF for 5 years and included a target funding level in FY 2026 of $17.8 billion. We encourage you to prioritize investments in the NSF during the FY 2026 appropriations process."
Georgia State University Student Selected for AIBS & SURA Public Policy Fellowship
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) have selected Anna Rader Groves for the 2025 AIBS & SURA Public Policy Fellowship. This professional development opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in science policy.
Anna Rader Groves is a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Georgia State University, where she studies the structural and functional development of context processing during adolescence and its relevance to schizophrenia. Passionate about science policy advocacy, she has gained extensive experience through the National Science Policy Network (NSPN), including completing an internship at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, serving on the NSPN Science Communication Committee, working as an editor for the blog SciPolBites, and serving as an NSPN Science Policy Scholar-in-Residence.
Ms. Rader Groves will work closely with AIBS and SURA policy staff in Washington, DC, this summer to gain first-hand experience with science policy and advocacy efforts that inform federal decision-making. Learn more.
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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In September 2024, the National Academies' Board on International Scientific Organizations (BISO) commissioned KGL Consulting to conduct a global survey of scientists, engineers, and medical professionals to gather insights into their experiences applying for U.S. visas for short-term scientific visits. Join BISO on Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 - 11:00 AM ET for a webinar where they will present the findings from over 1,200 respondents across more than 90 countries and invite broader discussion at a domestic and international level. Register now.
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently updated its Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization (RCDC) Categorical Spending webpage to improve public access to funding information. Launched in 2008, RCDC provides annual funding estimates for over 300 research areas based on grants, contracts, and disease burden data published by the CDC National Center for Health Statistics. The new updates enhance usability by reorganizing data for easier navigation; simplifying finding information on FAQs, the Categorization Process, and the biomedical thesaurus; and improving data table visibility.
- The Trump Administration withdrew its nomination of vaccine skeptic David Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after facing skepticism from some Republican senators. The decision came amid a growing measles outbreak and criticism of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s weak stance on measles vaccination.
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The Trump Administration has lifted a freeze on advisory council meetings at the NIH, which had delayed over $1.5 billion in grant funding. The freeze, part of a communication pause after Trump took office, had also halted NIH study section meetings, which conduct initial grant proposal reviews. Study section meetings are set to restart this week, with council meetings now resuming in April.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from March 10 to 21, 2025.
Commerce
Council on Environmental Quality
Executive Office of the President
Health and Human Services
Interior
