Science Policy News from AIBS

Commenting Tool, Resources on the Proposed OMB Federal Grants Rule

The American Institute of Biological Sciences has partnered with the American Physical Society (APS) on a commenting campaign regarding the proposed rule on federal financial assistance from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is an important opportunity for the scientific community to weigh in on federal policy. (See our summary of the proposed changes)

To make it as easy as possible for individuals to engage, APS has developed a dedicated online tool.

This portal provides a distilled, easy-to-digest summary of the proposed OMB changes. More importantly, it features an interactive interface that helps individual researchers, educators, and scientists craft and submit their own personalized comments directly to regulations.gov.

We call on the research community, our member societies and organizations, and all those who depend on a strong scientific enterprise to submit comments and to share this resource widely.

Additional Resources: There are now several helpful resources available on the proposed rule. AIBS has compiled a list of those we've found particularly useful, and will continue sharing additional resources as they become available.

NSF Reverses Course on Dismantling Ocean Monitoring Network

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has halted plans to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), reversing a decision that drew strong criticism from scientists, lawmakers, and coastal stakeholders.

In a June 18 statement, NSF announced that it would stop further removal of equipment from the ocean-monitoring network and continue operating the remaining arrays. The agency also said that it would redeploy equipment that had already been removed from the water after servicing. NSF indicated that it will seek community input through a Dear Colleague Letter and convene an expert panel to help determine "a sustainable path" for its ocean observing systems.

The reversal follows reports that the Trump Administration planned to dismantle much of the OOI, a $368 million network of more than 900 ocean-monitoring instruments that has operated since 2016. The network provides continuous data on ocean conditions, marine ecosystems, weather, ocean acidification, and climate change.

The proposed shutdown prompted swift bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill. Members of both the House and Senate sent letters urging NSF to maintain the program, while the Senate also passed the Saving the OOI Act by voice vote on June 17. Led by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the legislation seeks to preserve the observatory network, which lawmakers described as essential for fisheries management, weather forecasting, maritime safety, and scientific research. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Science Committee, welcomed NSF's reversal but criticized the agency's initial effort to dismantle the program, arguing that it lacked legal and scientific justification.

Despite the reprieve, the future of the OOI remains uncertain. NSF's fiscal year 2027 budget request proposes reducing the program's annual funding from $39 million to $8 million--an approximately 80% cut.

House Panel Examines Use of False Claims Act in Combating Research Grant Fraud

The House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on June 24 to examine how the False Claims Act is used to address fraud involving federally funded research.

The False Claims Act (FCA) was developed in the Civil War era to facilitate prosecution of individuals defrauding the Union Army by selling sawdust in place of gunpowder or other faulty equipment. Since then, it has been used in a myriad of ways, most notably to prosecute DEI-related initiatives under the Trump Administration.

Witnesses from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Inspector General, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Inspector General testified that recent FCA cases involving research institutions have largely centered on undisclosed foreign funding, cybersecurity noncompliance, and data falsification.

Over the past fiscal year, a total of five research fraud incidents were investigated, three at research institutions (including Penn State, Georgia Tech, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) and two at companies, namely Athira, a Bothell, Washington, pharmaceutical company and Vimaan Robotics, Inc., a San Jose-based AI company. Officials noted that whistleblower reports continue to play a critical role in identifying potential fraud and that agencies are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to support investigations.

Lawmakers also discussed challenges agencies face in detecting and prosecuting research misconduct, including inconsistent reporting requirements across federal agencies and limited mechanisms for tracking foreign financial support. Witnesses emphasized the need for greater standardization of disclosure processes and additional resources to monitor emerging research programs. Committee members also debated broader federal science funding trends, including NSF's shifting funding priorities and oversight of new research initiatives.

A significant portion of the hearing focused on concerns that the FCA could be used to investigate grants associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities. Democratic members questioned whether recent DOJ interpretations could expose researchers and institutions to litigation based on changing federal priorities. DOJ Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna Jenny stated that institutions may pursue DEI-related activities provided they do not make hiring or promotion decisions based on protected characteristics such as race or sex. However, she declined to provide specific guidance on how the FCA would apply to DEI-focused research. Because the FCA carries a 10-year statute of limitations, grants awarded under previous administrations could remain subject to future investigation, raising questions about how evolving federal policies may affect long-term grant compliance.

House Advances AI Research, Standards, and Infrastructure Bills

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a broad package of artificial intelligence (AI) legislation last week, reflecting Congress's growing focus on maintaining U.S. leadership in AI research while addressing the technology's infrastructure, standards, and governance challenges.

Several bills would expand the federal government's role in AI research and innovation. The House Science Committee approved H.R. 2385, which would establish a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to support cutting-edge AI research at universities, and H.R. 5351, the NSF AI Education Act, which would authorize undergraduate and graduate AI fellowships to strengthen the nation's AI workforce. The committee also approved H.R. 9363, which would establish a Center for AI Security and Innovation (CASI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to advance research on AI security, explainability, agentic AI, and autonomous systems.

NIST features prominently throughout the legislative package. H.R. 9341 would direct the agency to develop standards that make federal datasets more accessible and usable for AI applications while incorporating privacy protections. Additional legislation would require NIST to develop standards for AI model documentation, evaluate AI system trustworthiness, establish guidance for labeling AI-generated content, and develop methods for measuring AI's energy and water use.

The committee also approved H.R. 9334, the Workforce for AI Trust Act, which would direct NSF to support interdisciplinary AI fellowships, workforce training, and workshops to prepare researchers and practitioners to develop, evaluate, and govern trustworthy AI systems. The bill also directs NIST to develop a national framework identifying the knowledge and skills needed for AI-related occupations, helping policymakers better understand AI's impacts on the workforce and economy.

Meanwhile, the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced H.R. 9332, directing the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide technical assistance on electricity load forecasting for large AI data centers, and H.R. 9339, requiring DOE to study how AI and high-performance computing can accelerate grid modernization.

Together, the measures underscore Congress's view that sustaining U.S. leadership in AI will require coordinated investments not only in research, but also in standards, computing infrastructure, and the nation's electric grid. The House Science Committee bills now advance to the House floor, while the Energy and Commerce measures await consideration by the full committee.

NIH Seeks Input on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking public input on how scientific contributions should be measured, recognized, and rewarded in today's increasingly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. Through a new Request for Information (RFI), NIH aims to identify specific, measurable indicators and incentives that better reflect the rigor, reproducibility, teamwork, and public impact of modern biomedical research.

NIH is particularly interested in feedback on approaches for evaluating research rigor and reproducibility, data and software sharing, training and mentorship, team science, entrepreneurship and translation, foundational research, and broader public benefits. The agency is seeking examples of measurable indicators, implementation strategies, potential benefits and unintended consequences, and considerations across career stages, disciplines, and institution types.

The effort is part of NIH's broader Replication and Reproducibility Initiative. Comments must be submitted through NIH's online portal by August 19, 2026.

Senate Unveils Farm Bill Reauthorizing Agricultural Research Programs

The Senate Agriculture Committee has released a discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026, marking the Senate's first major step toward reauthorizing the long-overdue five-year farm bill. Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) said he hopes to refine the legislation and advance it through committee before the August recess. The draft is intended to serve as a bipartisan starting point for negotiations with the House, which passed its version of the farm bill (H.R. 7567) in April with support from 14 Democrats.

The Senate proposal would reauthorize more than 60 USDA research, extension, and education programs, many administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), with no major changes affecting the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) or the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). In its current form, the bill does not include significant new investments or policy changes for these core research programs, nor does it address USDA's ongoing reorganization of its Research, Education, and Economics mission area.

The bill would continue support for the Rural Energy for America Program, restore certain biorefinery grant authorities, direct USDA to develop a sustainable aviation fuels strategy, and expand conservation programs' authority to address long-term drought. It would also establish a State Conservation Assistance Program, create a Forest Conservation Easement Program, and overhaul the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to improve forest data collection.

The Senate draft broadly tracks the House-passed bill on research and conservation priorities, including provisions aimed at improving forest management and reducing wildfire risk. Like the House measure, it would adjust Forest Service consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act and reallocate nearly $1 billion in Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding to other conservation priorities. Notably, the Senate proposal omits several contentious issues, including biofuel policy and pesticide labeling, in an effort to build bipartisan support ahead of committee markup.

The House approved its version after removing a provision that would have limited certain lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers. It also reauthorizes a broad suite of USDA research, conservation, forestry, and rural development programs and promotes precision agriculture through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Once the Senate completes committee action and passes its bill, the two chambers will negotiate a final compromise before sending a final measure to the President.

Register for the Writing for Impact and Influence Online Course

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is offering its popular professional development program to help scientists and students hone their written communication skills to increase the power of their message.

Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, memoranda, and more, with a focus on the reader experience and the appropriate use of modern writing tools, such as ChatGPT. Each product-oriented session will have an assignment (deadlines are flexible), with feedback from the instructor.

The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants. Each session is also recorded and shared with all participants to accommodate scheduling conflicts.

Who Should Take the Course?

Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by augmenting their writing skills.
Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in increasing their marketability to employers.
Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters, organizational leaders, and others.

The course consists of six weekly 90-minute online modules conducted live and subsequently archived online for participant review. The course will begin on Friday, September 11, 2026, with subsequent course sessions held weekly on Fridays, through October 16. Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists.

Learn more and register.

Meet with Your Lawmakers This Summer and Help Inform Science Policy

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event.

Now in its 17th year, this national initiative is an opportunity for biologists across the country to meet with their federal or state elected officials to showcase the people, facilities, and equipment that are required to support and conduct scientific research. This initiative helps to put a face on science and to remind lawmakers that science is happening in their district and state.

The Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event enables scientists, graduate students, representatives of research facilities, and people affiliated with scientific collections to meet with their federal or state elected officials without traveling to Washington, DC. Participating scientists can meet with their elected officials at the local district office or invite them to visit their research facility.

"I am grateful for the experience, which has enriched my professional development. I am particularly pleased to think that we started a conversation with Rep. Joyce Beatty's office that will continue in the future. I encourage everyone to reach out beyond their scientific community, which includes explaining your science to your district offices."

- Coralie Farinas, Graduate Student, Ohio State University

AIBS will schedule participants' meetings with lawmakers and will prepare participants through online training and one-on-one support. Meetings will take place mid-July through October, depending on the participant's schedule and their lawmaker's availability. Read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

This event is made possible by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, with the support of event sponsors American Arachnological Society, American Society of Primatologists, Botanical Society of America, Florida International University Institute of Environment, Helminthological Society of Washington, Mycological Society of America, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Organization of Biological Field Stations, Paleontological Society, Phycological Society, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Society of Nematologists, and Society for the Study of Evolution.

Registration for participation is free, but required and closes on July 13, 2026. To learn more and register, visit io.aibs.org/cdv.

Short Takes

Senate appropriators have postponed markup of their first fiscal year (FY) 2027 spending bills--including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill, which funds the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other science agencies--from June 25 until after the July 4 recess. The delay leaves the Senate well behind the House, which has completed committee action on all twelve FY 2027 appropriations bills, increasing pressure to complete the annual appropriations process before September 30.
NSF is expected to issue job announcements today, June 29, that may be of interest to experienced scientists and engineers. The agency seeks to recruit applicants for the role of program director. There are expected to be openings in both the Biological Sciences and Geological Sciences These career opportunities will be listed on the NSF career webpage under current job openings.
Current and former NIH staff have released a new report marking one year since publication of the Bethesda Declaration, arguing that conditions at the agency have continued to deteriorate rather than improve. The report cites continued political review of grants, delays in funding opportunities and award approvals, reduced reliance on peer review in funding decisions, and "extreme staff shortages." NIH responded that Director Jay Bhattacharya remains committed to "transparency, open inquiry, and constructive debate" and is willing to continue discussions with the declaration's authors.
The proposed rules on federal grants from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) drew the attention of Congress during the nomination hearing of Hal Duncan for OMB Deputy Director on June 16. Duncan, who currently serves as the head of legislative affairs for OMB, defended the proposed rule, which would give political appointees final authority over federal grant awards. He said the changes would help eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse while ensuring that federal funding does not support what he described as "divisive DEI ideologies", "radical gender ideologies", and "illegal immigration." Duncan held strong in his belief that political oversight of the federal grant process would benefit the American people. His nomination is expected to advance to the Senate floor for a vote in the coming weeks.
A new report from the American Association of Cancer Research finds that while racial and ethnic minorities, impoverished communities, rural residents, and sexual and gender minorities continue to bear disproportionate cancer burdens, progress has been made in reducing disparities. Since 1991, the overall cancer mortality gap between Black and White Americans has narrowed substantially, with overall cancer mortality among Black men declining by more than 50%, while disparities in cervical and stomach cancer mortality have also decreased. The report notes that health inequities cost the U.S. economy an estimated $451 billion in 2018 and warns that recent funding cuts and disruptions to federal research programs threaten continued progress. The report calls for sustained and strengthened investment in cancer disparities research.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced plans in November 2025 to end its in-house primate research program, but questions have remained about where its remaining research monkeys should be housed. The agency initially planned to send all of the macaques to Born Free USA, a Texas sanctuary committed to permanently retiring animals from research. National Primate Research Centers, biomedical organizations, and research monkey supplier Alpha Genesis criticized the plan, arguing that the CDC had not justified excluding other qualified primate facilities. The CDC has since revised its approach and is now soliciting proposals from qualified facilities to house the animals.