In Brief
Take Action: Apply Now for the Biophysical Society’s 2025–2026 Congressional Fellowship
Interested in using your science skills to inform science policy? Does spending a year working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, helping develop policy sound exciting? The Biophysical Society’s Congressional Fellowship program is your opportunity to participate directly in the process of law-making that impacts how research is funded and regulated. This year-long opportunity provides Fellows a chance to utilize their science knowledge to inform the public policy process. Fellows will gain firsthand knowledge and experience on how Congress works and participate in the esteemed AAAS Science and Technology Fellows program that provides ongoing training and networking opportunities during the fellowship year and beyond. Visit the BPS Congressional Fellowship website for more details about the program or contact Leann Fox at [email protected] or (240) 290-5606. The application deadline is December 12, 2025.
Fiscal Year 2026 Work Comes Down to the Wire
With fiscal year (FY) 2025 coming to a close at midnight on September 30, we remain deadlocked on an agreement to keep the federal government up and running. While the House of Representatives passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) on September 19 to maintain federal operations until November 21; the Senate remains at an impasse with Democrats using the slim margins as a means to negotiate. All federal agencies are preparing for a shut-down as of 12:01 am on October 1.
The issues are due to major policy and spending disagreements between Democrats and the Republican-led House and White House. The primary sticking points involve Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and the Trump administration's threat of potential federal layoffs [see below]. While rumors circulate that this may only be a short-term shutdown, it will wreak major havoc with federal agencies and their grantees.
OMB Memos Outline Possible RIFs Pending a Shut Down and FY27 Science and Tech Priorities
On September 24, the Office of Management and Budget released a memo to all federal agencies announcing major plans for federal employees should there be a government shutdown. The memo calls for additional reductions in force (RIFs) in addition to employee furloughs in programs, projects, or activities (PPAs) that satisfy all three of the following conditions: (1) discretionary funding lapses on October 1, 2025; (2) another source of funding; and (3) the PPA is not consistent with the President’s priorities. RIF notices should be issued to all employees working on the relevant PPA, regardless of whether the employee is excepted or furloughed during the lapse in appropriations.
This memo follows one released the previous day outlining the President’s science and technology priorities moving into FY27. These include (1) prioritizing R&D in critical emerging technologies like AI, and quantum science, (2) supporting health biotechnology and domestic biomanufacturing to address health challenges, (3) implementing Gold Standard Science to ensure rigorous scientific practices and transparency, (4) building a future workforce skilled in STEM through enhanced education and training programs, (5) expanding access to world-class research infrastructure for diverse researchers, (6) revitalizing the S&T ecosystem by fostering public-private partnerships and reducing regulatory burdens and (7) focus on high-value research aligned with agency missions to maximize impact and outcomes.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Release New Changes to F-1 and H-1B Visas
President Donald Trump announced a major increase in H-1B visa fees, including a $100,000 fee for companies entering the annual visa lottery, as part of a broader effort to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign workers and encourage domestic employment in science and technology. The new policy may also affect universities and nonprofits, although possible exemptions could be granted. Additional proposed changes include raising wage requirements and prioritizing higher-paid applicants.
Separately, the Department of Homeland Security is proposing new restrictions on student visas (F-1), including a four-year cap that could impact international PhD students. Legal challenges to these measures are expected. BPS has submitted a comment letter opposing the proposed changes to student visas, joined in on a coalition letter expressing the same and is supporting an amicus brief filed by the American Physical Society