March 17, 2026
AGU Responds to NSF’s Dear Colleague Letter on NCAR
In January 2026, the National Science Foundation (NSF) posted a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) asking for feedback on their proposal to restructure or dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). More than 550 AGU members submitted their own comments to NSF in addition to AGU’s comments on behalf of the organization. While we welcome any effort to evaluate and improve scientific institutions, we have serious and substantive concerns about …
March 6, 2026
AGU joins letter for FY27 DOE Office of Science appropriations request
on 17 February 2026, AGU joined the Energy Sciences Coalition letter with their FY27 Appropriations request for the Department of Energy Office of Science. The Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) thanks Congress for continuing its strong, bipartisan support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. To build on this support, ESC urges Congress to appropriate $9.5 billion in FY 2027 for DOE Office of Science. This level …
AGU joins letter expressing concern over the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act
On 10 February 2026, AGU and the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association, IEEE Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society sent a letter to Congress expressing concern over the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. We are writing to express concern over certain provisions of the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. While we share the legislation’s goals of boosting U.S. space leadership and serving underserved communities, we’re concerned that the bill, and specifically …
AGU submits comments on NSF’s Strategic Plan
AGU Draft Response to NSF request for public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan What opportunities exist that could help enable progress toward NSF’s objectives and strategies? Invest in a multitude of scientific research through the NSF, fully funding and supporting all sciences and increasing calls for interdisciplinary research. This will mean ensuring sufficient money and staff to allow for increased grant-making of high-quality research. Set aside …
Scientists Making a Difference on Capitol Hill
Liz Landau, Director, AGU Science Policy & Government Relations We get asked often by scientists if they can ‘make a difference’ by taking part in science policy efforts. We always say “yes”, but I think actions speak louder than words. And some of the most telling examples are from the group of 38 scientists who participated in 79 meetings on Capitol Hill on 4 March. There was the office …
March 5, 2026
AGU, NWA, AMA, and UCAR Joint Comment on Upper Microwave Spectrum Use
On 20 January 2026, AGU submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on upper microwave spectrum use. The National Weather Association (NWA), American Meteorological Society (AMS), American Geophysical Union (AGU) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking to facilitate more intensive use of upper microwave spectrum, specifically upper microwave spectrum bands above …
February 5, 2026
Science Funding for FY26 Secured
On Tuesday, 3 February, the President signed into law a third appropriations package, resulting in 95% of fiscal year 2026 (FY26) appropriations now complete, including funding for all U.S. federal science agencies. Despite a challenging year for science and U.S. science agencies, the FY26 appropriations legislation is a bright spot, demonstrating the strength and value of the scientific community engaging with policymakers. The funding levels recommended in the president’s budget …
February 2, 2026
Powering our Action: AGU Voices in Action
In the face of chaos, uncertainty, and rapid changes, the AGU science policy community stepped up time and time again to protect and advance science policy around the globe. From courtrooms to the halls of Congress to local townhalls to AGU25, AGU and our members engaged policymakers everywhere. Collectively, we were able to prevent billions of dollars in cuts in funding to science in the U.S., raise awareness about the …
January 13, 2026
AGU Joins Scientific Society Letter In Support of NCAR
AGU joined the American Meteorological Society and other science societies to send a letter to Congress in support of NCAR. Contact your legislators to ask for support of NCAR today. The United States of America Needs the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). On behalf of the scientific societies we represent, we write to express our strong support of NCAR and the full breadth of scientific research undertaken by the …
November 18, 2025
Science Policy Events at AGU25
AGU is thrilled to be back in New Orleans and bring you some exciting and informative science policy programming at this year’s annual meeting. Whether you’re new to science policy or are looking to start a policy career, we have a session for you. This year, all our core programming will take place in AGU Central’s theater space, located in the exhibit hall. Sessions will be 45 minutes long. Presenters …
