Support Science Funding (Again): A Call to Action

This week, as Artemis II circled the Moon and took humans farther from Earth than ever before, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its 2027 budget. That budget looks eerily similar to the budget released in 2025 that sought to gut support for NASA as well as funding for other agencies involved in science and research. This proposed budget, if passed, would cut $5.6 billion from NASA science, despite overwhelming support for NASA from Congress.

In the Planetary Society's article "What is the skinny budget, and what does it mean for NASA?" Ari Koeppel wonders if the proposal may be a strategic move "to normalize deep reductions to government programs."

Photo: The Planetary Society

Jared Isaacman, who was sworn in as NASA administrator on December 18, 2025, released a letter to NASA employees this week in response to the budget, essentially supporting the cuts by emphasizing his commitment to efficiency and that the budget is sufficient. Despite Isaacman's statement, many in the greater science community are alarmed by this nearly identical attempt to once again shrink the resources allocated to science.

In AAS's statement on the proposed budget this week, Roohi Dalal writes, "Congress holds the 'power of the purse' and will ultimately make the decision about how much federal funding is appropriated to these and other agencies. We urge you to take action next week and, thereafter, to remind Congress of the importance of federal funding for the sciences."

The AAS is holding a Week of Action beginning Monday, April 13. Take action each day to show Congress you support a fully funded science budget and not the "skinny" budget released by the OMB. Find all the steps on the AAS website. Anyone who completes three steps will be recognized as an advocacy hero at the next AAS meeting.

The Planetary Society had already marked April 19 and 20 as their annual Day of Action, where members advocate for science face-to-face with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. That day will take on extra meaning. 

This week, take some time to participate in AAS's Week of Action and show Congress how much Americans support funding NASA and science in general. 

 

Earth sets at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, over the Moon’s curved limb in this photo captured by the Artemis II crew during their journey around the far side of the Moon. Photo: NASA