ASGSR: Defend NASA Biological and Physical Sciences Division Science Call to Action

Dear ASGSR Members and Friends,

As you may have heard, the President’s Budget Request (PBR) was recently released and includes severe cuts to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. More specifically, NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division (BPS), which funds a lot of our research, faces a draconian 72% reduction in funds from $87.5M to just $25M. This budget includes only $13M for Physical Sciences research, $4M for Space Biology, and $4M for the CERISS initiative.

This dramatically increases the risk for the termination of many of the research projects and training initiatives supported by BPS. This will have dire consequences for the Nation’s exploration goals and will significantly impact the translational and spinoff benefits our research brings to life on Earth. Furthermore, these cuts will devastate our community and significantly impact our ability to continue a workforce development pipeline. As many of you remember, the last time our Community experienced these levels of funding cuts, it took well over a decade to recover.

However, the PBR only represents a request to Congress. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will now craft their own versions of the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) bill over the next few months. This is the crucial window for advocacy to secure bipartisan congressional support to restore and protect funding for NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division (BPS) in the FY2026 budget ensuring at least budget maintenance in appropriations for NASA’s long-term exploration plans. We MUST take action now to advocate for BPS and the BPS budget.

We are urging you to please contact your local and state representatives and remind them of the critical need for a robust BPS budget. More specifically, the following can be used as unified talking points for all:

• The vital role BPS research plays in the Nation’s exploration goals – including crucial role in astronaut health and safety
• The critical importance of BPS research in improving life on Earth
• The importance of BPS research in maintaining leadership and competitiveness in space
• BPS research is a key customer and driver of a successful commercial LEO economy

Take action now:

• Fill out this form to help track advocacy efforts
• Contact your Senators and Congressmen/women with our template letter. You can find out who your Senators/Congresspeople are here:
• Request to meet in their local office

Time is critical. Please act this week. Several members of the ASGSR Board and Student Board will also be visiting Washington D.C. in the coming weeks to speak with Congress members in-person to advocate for NASA BPS funding.

Please contact Liz Blaber (blabee-at-rpi.edu) if you have questions.

Best,
ASGSR Leadership &
ASGSR External Affairs Committee
American Society for Gravitational and Space Research

space biology, astrobiology, space life science,