Management
NOAA terminates space, climate and marine life advisory committees
Experts caution the groups play a key role in ensuring agencies use the best available science in their decision making.
Workforce
168 employees fired at the National Science Foundation
“Panch has been conveniently absent throughout this whole time,” said an internal email an NSF worker sent to fellow colleagues, referring to Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director.
Oversight
Advanced health research agency needs a strategic workforce plan, watchdog says
The GAO report also found ARPA-H, as of July 1, 2024, has not hired any scientists who are Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races.
Tech
Trump and Harris are sharply divided on science, but share common ground on US technology policy
The candidates have demonstrated different budget priorities when it comes to the role of science and research funding in the federal government, but have taken similar approaches in the technology competition with China.
Workforce
‘Bee doctors’ work to prevent colony collapse nets public service award
The work of two scientists from the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Research Service to find new methods to diagnose and treat pathogens affecting bee health helped earn them the Service to America’s People’s Choice Award
Oversight
PEER sues to force OPM to implement administrative leave reforms
Though Congress enacted a law aimed at ending agencies’ abuse of involuntary administrative leave, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency has yet to implement its key provisions.
News
Even short trips to space can change an astronaut’s biology
A new set of studies offers the most comprehensive look at spaceflight health since NASA’s Twins Study.
Management
Federal funding for major science agencies is at a 25-year low
Research funding is down in recent years despite promises made with the CHIPS and Science Act.
Oversight
NSF’s ongoing major infrastructure project delays due to personnel, supply challenges, report says
Staffing challenges were partially at the root of delays for two of the agency’s construction facilities projects costing more than $100 million.
Workforce
EPA union ratifies contract to protect employees’ scientific integrity
The deal also locks in a maximum of four days per week of telework, though labor leaders said that the agency will likely want to renegotiate the benefit after two years.
Management
Biden just signed the largest executive order focused on women’s health
From maternal health to menopause, federal agencies will study the health issues that emerge across a woman’s lifespan.
Workforce
State selects 4 new Science Envoys
Four U.S. scientists and researchers will work in the State Department’s Science Envoy Program representing the country's scientific interests and advancing international partnerships.
Workforce
EPA has a new plan to protect career scientists, but some are questioning its efficacy
Solutions to concerns over accountability and reporting mechanisms are coming soon, EPA official says.
Workforce
Scientific federal agencies have restaffed to pre-Trump levels
While the Biden administration is finding success in its hiring efforts, a report finds diversity efforts are lagging.
News
NASA’s robotic prospectors help scientists understand what asteroids are made of – setting the stage for miners to follow someday
Some companies hope to one day search for deposits that are literally out of this world — on asteroids.
Workforce
Science group threatens lawsuit over OPM’s failure to implement limiting involuntary leave for feds accused of misconduct
Although Congress passed a law aimed at preventing federal workers accused of misconduct from being stuck in limbo in 2016, the federal government’s HR agency never issued regulations to implement the measure.
Management
First revamped science policy falls short of fulfilling Biden’s promise to protect scientists, watchdogs say
As written, groups suggest the updated scientific integrity policy can be "weaponized by bad-faith actors.”
Oversight
GAO: USDA violated the Anti-Deficiency Act while planning its relocation of science agencies
House Democrats renewed calls to institute tighter regulation of agency relocations in light of the watchdog agency's findings.
Oversight
‘Wrongdoing’ likely in USDA maintenance of the nation’s largest agricultural research facility, OSC says
Union leaders said a recent winter flood of a building at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is just a symptom of systematic mismanagement of the facility.
Management