Policy Blog
The AAS Public Policy team uses the Policy Blog to communicate with the membership about current events in the science policy world. Most policy blog posts are written by the John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow.
Addendum: Another View on NASA's Science Budget, or Scaling the Axes
12 November 2013
Last week's plots may have given the impression that the NASA SMD division budgets, and changes therein, were all on the same scale; they're not. Here's a short addendum with a more appropriately scaled plot.
More Context, the Broader Picture at NASA's Science Mission Directorate
31 October 2013
To provide greater context to our discussion about the NASA Science Mission Directorate budget, which we began last post, here are two plots of total SMD funding over time.
The Astronomical Sciences in FY 2014: Below the Top Line at NASA
24 October 2013
Last post, we took our first look at the potential budget for the coming fiscal year, FY 2014, which began 28 days ago. This time, we'll dive a little deeper into the budgetary outlook for NASA in FY 2014, as the two...
Looking Ahead to a Potential Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, How Do the Astronomical Sciences Fare?
16 October 2013
The last few days have brought welcome news of a potential end to the government shutdown. Whether you believe there can be a long-term, large-scale budget bargain or not, its important to look at where this Congress...
The Government Shutdown and You
9 October 2013
The federal government remains shut down. We are sorting out its effects on our astronomical sciences, and we're asking you for your stories, which we'll collect for a letter to Congressional leaders.
Bipartisan Group of Congress Members Commend Winners of the Golden Goose Awards
25 Sep 2013
At the Golden Goose Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC, a cadre of researchers were recognized for seemingly obscure basic research that has reaped huge and wholly unexpected rewards in societal applications.
One Astronomer’s Transition to Science Policy
19 July 2013
Josh Shiode, the AAS's incoming John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow, blogs about his somewhat meandering journey from research scientist to policy wonk.
AAS Seeks Volunteers for Communicating With Washington Program
1 Jul 2013
The AAS needs members' help to convince Congress of the importance of astronomical research. Please get involved by signing up for our Communicating With Washington program. Deadline: 1 August 2013.
News from the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences
29 Apr 2013
AST division director Jim Ulvestad provides updates on the FY 2013 budget, the FY 2014 budget request, the AAG and PAARE grant programs, the ALMA inauguration in Chile, and forthcoming management competitions for several...
News from NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST)
1 Mar 2013
NSF and the ABCs of Sequestration
At this writing, on 27 February, the U.S. Government is nearing the 1 March deadline for across-the-board reductions in the U.S. budget, known as “sequestration.” Those inside the...