The Bridge: Connecting Science and Policy

March 6, 2025

AGU joins letter of support to the science community

AGU joined a coalition of other science societies and organizations to rally around the scince community in support of their work. TO THE RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS, AND ACADEMICS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, YOUR WORK IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. American science and innovation have advanced humanity for generations. The pursuit of science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives and the health of our planet. But …

AGU joins letter asking Congress to oppose attacks on the U.S. scientific enterprise

On 4 March 2025, AGU joined a letter to Congressional leadership requesting congress rejects the current Administration’s policies 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. On behalf of the undersigned scientific societies and organizations, …

AGU joins letter with the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics opposing removal of federal data

On 11 February, AGU joined a letter to Congressional leadership expressing concern and strong opposition to the removal of public data from federal websites. Removing or curtailing access to these data, even temporarily, erodes the public trust that federal statistical and scientific agencies have earned. We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, write to express our concern and strong opposition to the recent incidents in which public data have been …

AGU joins other science societies to comment on FCC satellite rulemaking

On 28 February, AGU joined several other science societies to provide comments on the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Public Notice that seeks to supplement the record in this rulemaking proceeding on a proposal to re-allocate the 1675-1680 MHz band for shared use between incumbent federal operations and non-federal fixed or mobile operations on a co-primary basis. See the full letter with signatories and citations here.

AGU endorses RESEARCHER Act

On 28 February, AGU sent a letter to science committee leadership in the House and Senate once again endorsing the RESEARCHER Act. Our nation’s graduate and postdoctoral researchers often face considerable economic challenges while pursuing a career in higher education and research, and we support the goals of this legislation to address those challenges. Read the full letter: On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our global …

February 28, 2025

AGU joins nearly 500 organizations to oppose dismantling of NOAA

On 25 February, AGU joined nearly 500 businesses, organizations, and institutions in a letter to Congress to urge them to oppose cuts to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). See the letter below: Dear Members of Congress, The businesses, organizations, and institutions signed below strongly urge you to oppose actions by the Trump administration to dismantle, privatize, or significantly diminish the critical services and functions of the National Oceanic …

February 3, 2025

AGU’s 2025-2026 Policy Priorities

Since 2019, AGU has developed policy priorities to guide our advocacy efforts and accelerate the advancement of important science policies and legislation. These policy priorities reflect AGU’s broader strategic goals, the evolving policy landscape, and the needs of our members. After reviewing feedback from AGU members and leaders, we are pleased to share AGU’s 2025-2026 policy priorities. The priorities focus on three key areas: Confronting climate change through research, …

November 25, 2024

AGU sends letter of concern for science funding to appropriators for FY25

On 25 September, AGU sent a letter to leadership in the House and Senate appropriations committees expressing concern over the low funding levels for science agencies for Fiscal Year 2025. Read more: On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our worldwide Earth and space science community, I write to share our deep concerns regarding funding for the U.S. scientific enterprise in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations bills. …

October 25, 2024

Join AGU Science Policy at AGU24 in Washington DC

AGU24 is just around the corner and our Science Policy and Government Relations team has a jam-packed agenda for our members at this year’s meeting in Washington, DC. From science policy 101 to understanding how scientists can engage with congress after the election to exploring science policy careers, we are here to help you make the most of your meeting. Explore our day-by-day schedule below: Monday through Thursday, daily: Free …

October 15, 2024

A year in the life of a Congressional Science Fellow

Devon Gorby, PhD, was AGU’s 2023-2024 Congressional Science Fellow. She is now a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of State. From September 2023 to September 2024, I worked in the office of Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico as AGU’s Congressional Science Fellow. I used my scientific background in climate science, geology and hydrology to cover his water and environment portfolios. The experience was the …