Workshop Title
Share Your Voice: Public Comment Writing for NSF’s Proposal Threatening Research
Overview
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has proposed policy changes that would politicize its grantmaking process and threaten the integrity of federally-backed research. An upcoming workshop provides information on the proposed changes, including their implication for U.S. scientific research, as well as guidance on how to craft public comments in response. The workshop will be led by the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) and science policy expert Kei Koizumi, who has written on the proposal for the Union of Concerned Scientists. Public comments on the NSF’s proposed changes are due August 24, 2026.
NSF expands scientific knowledge by supporting research across all areas of science and engineering. The agency currently uses a merit review process in awarding grants, where a panel of scientific peers determine the quality of a proposal. The NSF is the only federal agency designated to support research across all areas of science and engineering. The proposed changes seek to align the agency’s policies with the recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule, which would politicize federal grantmaking and weaken research. EDGI opposes this proposed rule and the tumultuous effect it would have on future research.
Public comments are a way to get your voice heard and establish a public record that can be used for future policy and litigation. Whether this is your first time writing a public comment or you’re looking to understand more about the impact of NSF’s proposed changes, this workshop is open to you. In this session we will:
- Present and explain key components of the proposed rule
- Share tools and tips for writing an effective public comment
- Answer questions about the proposed rule or public comments in general
When: August 18, 2026 1:00-2:00 PM ET / 10:00 -11:00 AM PT
Where: Zoom
Registration: Click here to register