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Advocacy

Calls to Action

[Posted 06-03-2026] A new proposal from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-10817.pdf) would make drastic changes, such as: peer review demoted to being advisory in choosing funded grants, active grants able  be terminated at any time, agency pre-approval for professional memberships and conference attendance, and publication costs are no longer allowable. Public comments are open until July 13, 2026: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/OMB-2026-0034-0001

Read the JASMS Editorial "Science for the Masses" (May 2026) authored by ASMS President Joe Loo and ASMS Member at Large for Membership Asher Newsome.

Science for the Masses

General Science Advocacy

ASMS supports members who wish to advocate for science policy by contacting elected representatives through phone calls, letters, emails, and social media. The more personalized and direct your message is, the more impact it has. Find your legislators and their contact information at GovTrack to make your voice heard.

Phone Calls

Congressional offices typically keep a tally of calls for or against a particular issue. Both short and long calls are effective when the message is clear. Leave a voicemail if you get an answering machine. It may be helpful to make note of what you wish to say before calling, or to follow a script like the example below:

“Hello, my name is [name]. I am a constituent who lives in [state and zip code or Congressional district].

I’m calling today to express my support for strong federal investments in science and research and to ask your office to defend federal science agencies from funding cuts.

Science funding is important to this state because [share data or an anecdote about why federal science funding matters to you.]

My call-back number is [your number, if you are sent to voicemail and want a reply].

Thank you.”

Letters

Personalized letters resonate more with legislators. ASMS has compiled topics below that you may wish to include in your letter:

Dear [Representative],

I am writing to express my support for federal investments in science and research and for the scientists whose work benefits our country.

  • Science funding is important to this state because [share data or an anecdote about why federal science funding matters to you.]
  • Science is an essential engine of health, prosperity, and security, impacting daily life for all Americans.
  • Scientists from diverse backgrounds are critical to progress and deserve support.
  • Federal funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health promote discovery while training the early-career researchers necessary to the future.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

[your name and signature]

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