Science
Nuclear waste oversight at risk as staffing vacancies mount, watchdog warns
After a wave of departures tied to the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, nearly half the positions in the Energy Department office overseeing nuclear cleanup sit empty, including many critical safety and engineering roles.
HHS to start Schedule P/C conversions while withholding details on new RIFs
Hundreds of GS-15s are being converted to the controversial job classification that strips civil service protections.
‘This will cost lives’: Researchers slam Trump cuts to addiction programs and staffing
The Addiction Science Defense Network in a new report criticized several reforms at the Health and Human Services Department, including the elimination of a program that collected information on hospital visits across the country related to substance use trends.
A USDA cow scientist won an award for helping dairy farmers produce more milk. He’s worried about the future of government research under Trump
The Partnership for Public Service, which runs an annual awards program for federal employees, recognized fewer civil servants this year as a result of fewer agencies participating.
‘Highly problematic for a thousand reasons’: NIH employees criticize Trump-era requirement to scrutinize grants with words related to diversity
One staffer said that officials are employing more systematic methods to pinpoint NIH-funded research that the administration may object to, but that the additional reviews are time-consuming and lack transparency.
Report: Nearly 95k science employees left government as Trump downsized agency workforces
The Trump administration also has cut spending on science contracts and grants.
A pandemic-era NSF internship pilot may have done more than fill a temporary gap
The remote program may have helped students who could not take part in person and offers lessons for how internships could work going forward.
Updated
Virginia lawmakers glad National Science Foundation headquarters to remain in state
The General Services Administration announcement about NSF's new building did not address when the Housing and Urban Development Department would move into the science agency's current headquarters.
CDC employees given 2 weeks to return to headquarters following recent shooting
Agency officials said that security has been heightened at the CDC’s Atlanta campus.
Watchdog warns that shortages in aviation meteorologists could endanger flight safety
While the Federal Aviation Administration and National Weather Service are negotiating an interagency agreement that will likely further reduce the meteorology workforce, the Government Accountability Office said officials haven’t appropriately considered the risks of current staffing levels.
‘The neutrality of the agency has been eliminated’: Stats-based feds decry BLS chief’s firing
Employees express concern Trump's firing of the commissioner, which followed a weak jobs report, will lead to future interference with their work.
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NSF slashes most career executive roles after shedding one-third of staff
The National Science Foundation is initiating a reduction in force for senior executives, but offering them opportunities to stay at the agency.
Former federal science leaders warn Trump proposals could cripple U.S. research
Experts decried potential rescissions of funding for science agencies as well as cuts to government researchers and grants.
Union calls for reinstatement of EPA workers suspended over letter
More than 130 EPA workers were put on administrative leave over their signature of a letter that criticized Administrator Lee Zeldin’s direction for the agency.
Trump’s science order faces scrutiny from scientists and lawmakers
Critics are raising alarms over the Restoring Gold Standard Science executive order, saying the updated guidelines could weaken safeguards meant to keep politics out of federal research.
Virginia lawmakers demand answers on Trump’s planned ‘displacement’ of NSF
The lack of an announced successor space for the National Science Foundation and accusations of largesse to the Housing and Urban Development secretary have swirled since the proposal was unveiled last week.
OSC recommends bonuses for whistleblowers at Maryland USDA facility
The reallocation of $50 million to upgrade a dilapidated federal research facility would not have been possible without the rights afforded workers through collective bargaining, union leaders argued.
HUD to move into the National Science Foundation headquarters, no current plan on where to relocate NSF employees
The Department of Housing and Urban Development had previously announced its intention to sell its current headquarters, which requires more than $500 million in maintenance repairs.
Georgetown leverages ex-fed tech experts with new fellowship program
Tech policy experts and U.S. Digital Service alums will join an inaugural program that aims to advance civic technology, while offering experience and insights to public service-focused students.
DOGE reorganization of nuclear regulator prompts concerns about the agency’s continued focus on safety
President Donald Trump wants the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to lay off workers, while the agency has fallen short of its recruitment goals in recent years and struggled to replenish its aging workforce.
