On 8 November 2023, AGU sent a letter of endorsement to Representative McClellan (D-VA-4) for the RESEARCHER Act. 

On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our global community of more than half a million Earth and space scientists and allies, I am writing to thank you for crafting and introducing the RESEARCHER Act (H.R. 4002) and to offer AGU’s endorsement for this important bill.  

applaud the bill’s aim of addressing financial instability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers through comprehensive data collection and development of policy guidelines for federal research agencies. Our nation’s graduate and postdoctoral researchers, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, often face considerable financial challenges while pursuing a career in higher education and research. Economic strain can dissuade new researchers from pursuing a career in the sciences and pressure talented researchers to leave the STEM workforce. Research into the factors that contribute to financial instability of early career researchers is critical to developing a diverse, highly qualified STEM workforce of the United States. 

As an organization committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Earth and space sciences, AGU appreciates your leadership in reducing financial hardships of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Supporting our nation’s early career researchers is a welcome step toward ensuring long-term American leadership and innovation in the sciences. Given our shared interests in the goals of this legislation, we look forward to working with you as the RESEARCHER Act advances.