You are browsing the archive for Author: Caitlin Bergstrom - AGU Blogosphere.
16 July 2026
Comment of the American Geophysical Union regarding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule to revise the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance
AGU serves as a pathway for scientists to disseminate their research to colleagues and the public through publications, conferences, and collaborations with communities, universities, and NGOs throughout the globe. Our 24 top quality research journals, including Geophysical Research Letters and Earth’s Future and the dedicated professionals who sustain them play a vital role in ensuring high-quality peer review leading to cutting edge research. Our scientific conferences, including the world’s largest …
15 July 2026
Guest Post: From Research to Community Action: How Science Communication Inspires Better Water and Waste Management
By Okunowo Oluwafemi Olutayo, AGU Voices for Science International Fellow As Earth scientists, we spend countless hours studying the Earth’s systems, collecting data, and developing solutions to environmental challenges. Yet one question continues to shape my work: How do we ensure that scientific knowledge reaches the people whose everyday decisions determine the health of our environment? That question inspired me to organize Voices for Water and Waste Management Sustainability, a …
16 June 2026
AGU joins letter expressing concern over changes to USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area
On 8 June 2026, AGU joined a group of other organizations to express concern over changes to USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area. The REE mission area – comprising the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the Economic Research Service (ERS), and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) – is the backbone of American agricultural innovation. For farmers and ranchers, federal food …
9 June 2026
Guest Blog: Bursting the Academic Bubble: Why Scientists Must Bridge the Gap Between Research and Policy
Bursting the Academic Bubble: Why Scientists Must Bridge the Gap Between Research and Policy Jelis J. Sostre Cortés, AGU-sponsored CASE workshop participant and PhD candidate at the Georgia Institute of Technology As someone who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, I have been exposed to countless natural hazards. I have witnessed firsthand how a disconnect between scientists and policymakers can harm society. My PhD research focuses on compiling different …
2 June 2026
AGU endorses the NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Research Act
On 28 May 2026, AGU sent a letter to House leadership endorsing the NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Research Act. America’s ability to forecast severe weather, prepare for coastal hazards, and understand longterm climate trends depends on consistent, high-quality ocean data. Without sustained global observation systems, these capabilities erode, leaving communities, emergency managers, and policymakers without the information they need to effectively prepare and respond. We commend the bill’s …
AGU endorses the Weather Act
On 28 May 2026, AGU sent letters to leadership in congress endorsing the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The bill’s goal of building on the achievements of the original Weather Act, which drove significant advances in forecasting and the prediction of high-impact weather events, is critical to strengthening national forecasting capabilities. As communities across the country face increasingly severe weather-related impacts, it is essential that our …
AGU endorses the Scientific Integrity Act
On 28 May 2026, AGU sent letters to Representative Tonko and Senator Schatz endorsing the Scientific Integrity Act. Now more than ever, it is critical to bolster public trust in science by ensuring that federal science is impartial, evidence-based, and conducted in the public interest. We applaud this bill’s effort to strengthen, expand, and standardize existing federal agency scientific integrity policies and codify the rights of researchers to conduct and …
AGU joins letter urging confirmation hearing for NSF Director
On 14 May 2026, AGU joined a letter with the Coalition for National Science Funding. (CNSF) to urge the HELP Committee to schedule a confirmation hearing for James O’Neill, the President’s nominee to serve as Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF Director sets the scientific and strategic priorities of the agency, represents NSF before Congress and the scientific community, and serves as a steward of public trust …
AGU joins letter requesting FY27 support for Department of Energy
On 12 May, AGU joined several organizations to request support for robust funding for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programs in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 (FY27). Our nation cannot afford to be dependent on adversarial countries for critical energy technologies and supply chains, leaving American households and businesses vulnerable to disruptions and price volatility in energy markets. Read …
AGU joins letter in support of NSF funding and support for the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
On 12 May 2026, AGU joined various organizations representing the full breadth of America’s scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research, to urge Congress to fully support and fund the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the highest levels possible in the Fiscal Year 2027 budgetary process. A serious concern that has arisen is the Administration’s proposal to eliminate the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) and the research …
12 May 2026
AGU joins Energy Sciences Coalition letter rejecting cuts to the Department Energy
The Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) urges Congress to reject the proposed cut to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science in the FY 2027 budget request. Instead, Congress should appropriate $9.5 billion in FY 2027 to maintain U.S. competitiveness and unleash innovation in new energy and emerging technologies, consistent with ESC’s February 2026 FY 2027 funding statement. Read the full letter and signatories here.
8 May 2026
AGU Joins National Council of Nonprofits Public Comment to GSA
On 30 March 2026, AGU joined a public comment submitted by the National Council of Nonprofits urging the General Services Administration to withdraw its proposal to revise the Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations required for System for Award Management registration. Read the full comment here.
4 May 2026
AGU Joins Letter Urging Passage of NEHRP
On 16 April 2026, AGU joined other science societies in a letter to the House urging passage of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Reauthorization Act of 2025. The undersigned organizations encourage the Committee to urge House leadership that S.320, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Reauthorization Act of 2025, is advanced by the full House under suspension of the rules for immediate consideration and passage. Reauthorization of …
AGU Joins Letter from Research Community Opposing Cuts to NIH
On 15 April 2026, AGU joined 94 other professional and medical societies and patient advocacy groups, in a letter opposing proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health. The 95 undersigned organizations, including patient advocacy groups, professional scientific and medical societies are profoundly disappointed by the administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which would cut the agency’s funding by more than 12 …
AGU Joins Letter Requesting Robust mCDR Funding for NOAA
On 14 April, AGU joined various other environmental groups to send a letter to Congress asking for strong funding for marine carbon dioxide removal technologies (mCDR) at NOAA. As work begins on the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill, we urge you to include robust funding for research, development, and demonstration of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration …
30 March 2026
Guest Post: Bridging Earth and Lunar Orbit: Why Geoscientists’ Voices Matter for Artemis II
Aleksei Nelaev, AGU Voices for Science cohort member With the Artemis II launch scheduled for April 1, the world’s attention is fixed on the sky. But for geoscientists, the mission isn’t just about the rocket – it’s about the “geological proving ground” that awaits us in lunar orbit. As a member of the AGU Voices for Science program, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for scientists to step out …
26 March 2026
AGU joins 28 societies in letter to the Federal Communications Commission on Reflect Orbital
On 9 March, AGU joined 28 scientific societies and organizations expressing concern over Reflect Orbital’s application to construct and launch an NGSO satellite. The undersigned 28 scientific societies and organizations, collectively representing tens of thousands of scientists and researchers both in the US and across the world, appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this application from Reflect Orbital to construct and launch a non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite. We have grave …
AGU joins CNSF letter with FY27 appropriations request for NSF
On 20 March 2026, AGU joined the Coalition for the National Science Foundation (CNSF)’s letter with appropriations request of $9.9 Billion for the National Science Foundation. On behalf of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) – an alliance of more than 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses united in our advocacy for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – we write to respectfully request that your committees provide …
17 March 2026
AGU Responds to NSF’s Dear Colleague Letter on NCAR
In January 2026, the National Science Foundation (NSF) posted a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) asking for feedback on their proposal to restructure or dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). More than 550 AGU members submitted their own comments to NSF in addition to AGU’s comments on behalf of the organization. While we welcome any effort to evaluate and improve scientific institutions, we have serious and substantive concerns about …
6 March 2026
AGU joins letter for FY27 DOE Office of Science appropriations request
on 17 February 2026, AGU joined the Energy Sciences Coalition letter with their FY27 Appropriations request for the Department of Energy Office of Science. The Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) thanks Congress for continuing its strong, bipartisan support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. To build on this support, ESC urges Congress to appropriate $9.5 billion in FY 2027 for DOE Office of Science. This level …
