Matt Hourihan
@matthourihan.bsky.social
Dad (x3) and hub (x1). R&D policy @ AAU.
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
FABBS is hiring a short-term Tech Policy Fellow to focus on behavioral science and AI (link below). Share with early career policy wonks
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
August 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
FABBS is hiring a short-term Tech Policy Fellow to focus on behavioral science and AI (link below). Share with early career policy wonks
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
@ilpfoundry.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @abankston.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @snapcoalition.bsky.social #scipoljobs
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
🆕NSF cuts don't just gut universities. Join New America, the R&D Congressional Caucus, and the American Association of Community Colleges for a briefing around the value of the #NSF for the skilled technical #workforce and #communitycolleges.
Register and share: forms.gle/LNaF6PptDr2u... #scipol
Register and share: forms.gle/LNaF6PptDr2u... #scipol
Capitol Hill Briefing: Not Just Universities: How NSF Funding Opens Community College Pathways to the Future of Work and the American Dream
REGISTER TODAY:
Date & Time: June 3 from noon-1 PM ET
Location: Rayburn House Office Building 2168, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
Hosted by: The R&D Congressional Caucus, New America a...
forms.gle
May 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
🆕NSF cuts don't just gut universities. Join New America, the R&D Congressional Caucus, and the American Association of Community Colleges for a briefing around the value of the #NSF for the skilled technical #workforce and #communitycolleges.
Register and share: forms.gle/LNaF6PptDr2u... #scipol
Register and share: forms.gle/LNaF6PptDr2u... #scipol
The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued its first impoundment ruling yesterday. Possibly first of many as dozens of investigations are underway. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Trump administration violated ‘impoundment’ law by freezing electric vehicle funding, GAO finds
The independent watchdog is conducting at least 39 investigations into whether the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act.
www.politico.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued its first impoundment ruling yesterday. Possibly first of many as dozens of investigations are underway. www.politico.com/news/2025/05...
Good deep dive in @nature.com. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Are groundbreaking science discoveries becoming harder to find?
Researchers are arguing over whether ‘disruptive’ or ‘novel’ science is waning – and how to remedy the problem.
www.nature.com
May 22, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Good deep dive in @nature.com. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
Coverage of Senator Kelly's efforts. Use planet.ly/senateletter to encourage your Senators to join him.
payloadspace.com/kelly-rallie...
payloadspace.com/kelly-rallie...
Kelly Rallies Senators for NASA Science Fight
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is leading a letter asking appropriators to provide $9B for NASA’s science mission directorate.
payloadspace.com
May 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Coverage of Senator Kelly's efforts. Use planet.ly/senateletter to encourage your Senators to join him.
payloadspace.com/kelly-rallie...
payloadspace.com/kelly-rallie...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
Very excited about our new paper on the large social returns to public R&D spending, which was prepared for the @NBER Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy Conference, 2025
Recent evidence finds a strong causal link between public research and development and private-sector productivity growth. A study on the potential productivity effects from the CHIPS Act, from @fieldhouse.bsky.social and Karel Mertens https://www.nber.org/papers/w33780
May 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Very excited about our new paper on the large social returns to public R&D spending, which was prepared for the @NBER Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy Conference, 2025
The MAGA revolution threatens America’s most innovative place
economist.com/united-state...
from The Economist
economist.com/united-state...
from The Economist
The MAGA revolution threatens America’s most innovative place
Cuts to funding risk hobbling Boston’s science establishment
economist.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The MAGA revolution threatens America’s most innovative place
economist.com/united-state...
from The Economist
economist.com/united-state...
from The Economist
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
We don’t get the next mRNA vaccine or moon landing without risk. Short-term grants. Political landmines. Shrinking budgets. Big bets are disappearing—and so are possible breakthroughs.
bistromathic.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
#science #risk #innovation #NSF #NIH #research #bluesky
bistromathic.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
#science #risk #innovation #NSF #NIH #research #bluesky
The Case for Failure
Budget cuts threaten scientific breakthroughs at a time when we should be rewarding risk
bistromathic.substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
We don’t get the next mRNA vaccine or moon landing without risk. Short-term grants. Political landmines. Shrinking budgets. Big bets are disappearing—and so are possible breakthroughs.
bistromathic.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
#science #risk #innovation #NSF #NIH #research #bluesky
bistromathic.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
#science #risk #innovation #NSF #NIH #research #bluesky
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
NEWS: I just led 112 of my colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on their funding freeze of the National Science Foundation.
Cutting off NSF funding threatens vital research, stalls innovation, and risks ceding global scientific leadership to China.
Cutting off NSF funding threatens vital research, stalls innovation, and risks ceding global scientific leadership to China.
May 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
NEWS: I just led 112 of my colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on their funding freeze of the National Science Foundation.
Cutting off NSF funding threatens vital research, stalls innovation, and risks ceding global scientific leadership to China.
Cutting off NSF funding threatens vital research, stalls innovation, and risks ceding global scientific leadership to China.
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
“Libraries are a trusted source. Let the books battle it out on the shelves. We have different perspectives, and you can choose.”
Carla Hayden, who sat down with ISSUES last year, was fired from her position as leader of the Library of Congress yesterday. issues.org/interview-li...
Carla Hayden, who sat down with ISSUES last year, was fired from her position as leader of the Library of Congress yesterday. issues.org/interview-li...
May 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
“Libraries are a trusted source. Let the books battle it out on the shelves. We have different perspectives, and you can choose.”
Carla Hayden, who sat down with ISSUES last year, was fired from her position as leader of the Library of Congress yesterday. issues.org/interview-li...
Carla Hayden, who sat down with ISSUES last year, was fired from her position as leader of the Library of Congress yesterday. issues.org/interview-li...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
Called and spoke to real humans at each of my three representative's offices this morning (both local offices and in DC). Share your stories, your impact, your students' success, your discoveries, and your hope for the future.
This is an absolute disaster. If we don't stop this, they will turn NSF into a pawn of the Trump administration. There will be no research on climate, biodiversity, or anything that isn't eugenics or AI or how to more efficiently destroy the planet for profit.
This cannot be allowed to happen.
This cannot be allowed to happen.
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Called and spoke to real humans at each of my three representative's offices this morning (both local offices and in DC). Share your stories, your impact, your students' success, your discoveries, and your hope for the future.
Banger essay on the importance of federally funded R&D to American entrepreneurship from David Singer of Maverick Ventures. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/o...
May 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Banger essay on the importance of federally funded R&D to American entrepreneurship from David Singer of Maverick Ventures. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/o...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
🚨 Breaking: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
1️⃣ Removes/demotes division director leaders
2️⃣ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight
3️⃣ More grant terminations expected tomorrow
One glimmer of hope: the 8 directorates appear to be staying
1️⃣ Removes/demotes division director leaders
2️⃣ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight
3️⃣ More grant terminations expected tomorrow
One glimmer of hope: the 8 directorates appear to be staying
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
🚨 Breaking: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
1️⃣ Removes/demotes division director leaders
2️⃣ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight
3️⃣ More grant terminations expected tomorrow
One glimmer of hope: the 8 directorates appear to be staying
1️⃣ Removes/demotes division director leaders
2️⃣ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight
3️⃣ More grant terminations expected tomorrow
One glimmer of hope: the 8 directorates appear to be staying
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
🧪 BOOM: The AAU, ACE, APLU, and 13 universities just filed suit today against NSF for slashing to 15% indirect rates.
Full compliant: www.aau.edu/sites/defaul...
Updates: www.aau.edu/resources-aa...
A similar group of plaintiffs won a *permanent* injunction against a similar change at NIH.
Full compliant: www.aau.edu/sites/defaul...
Updates: www.aau.edu/resources-aa...
A similar group of plaintiffs won a *permanent* injunction against a similar change at NIH.
two little girls are dancing on a stage and one of them is telling the other to tell her .
Alt: Wwo little girls are dancing on a stage and one of them is telling the other to tell her.
media.tenor.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:28 AM
🧪 BOOM: The AAU, ACE, APLU, and 13 universities just filed suit today against NSF for slashing to 15% indirect rates.
Full compliant: www.aau.edu/sites/defaul...
Updates: www.aau.edu/resources-aa...
A similar group of plaintiffs won a *permanent* injunction against a similar change at NIH.
Full compliant: www.aau.edu/sites/defaul...
Updates: www.aau.edu/resources-aa...
A similar group of plaintiffs won a *permanent* injunction against a similar change at NIH.
Excellent news. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/03/b...
May 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Excellent news. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/03/b...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
With the release of the skinny Presidential Budget Request, the FY 2026 season officially kicks off and the dashboard goes live!
Because this is a -skinny- request not everything was mentioned, so we'll keep updating as more details roll out in the next weeks and months.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
Because this is a -skinny- request not everything was mentioned, so we'll keep updating as more details roll out in the next weeks and months.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
FY 2026 R&D Appropriations Dashboard | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
www.aaas.org
May 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
With the release of the skinny Presidential Budget Request, the FY 2026 season officially kicks off and the dashboard goes live!
Because this is a -skinny- request not everything was mentioned, so we'll keep updating as more details roll out in the next weeks and months.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
Because this is a -skinny- request not everything was mentioned, so we'll keep updating as more details roll out in the next weeks and months.
www.aaas.org/news/fy-2026...
Skinny Budget Day! Another terrible budget for US science and innovation. While attention is on NSF and NIH, some brief notes on energy and space, which also matter for competitiveness.
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/informat... 🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/informat... 🧵
The President’s FY 2026 Discretionary Budget Request
www.whitehouse.gov
May 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Skinny Budget Day! Another terrible budget for US science and innovation. While attention is on NSF and NIH, some brief notes on energy and space, which also matter for competitiveness.
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/informat... 🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/informat... 🧵
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
This from Jeffrey Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social) on NSF budget request: Trump has proposed cutting NSF's budget by more than half, to $4B, in FY 2026. The math in his "skinny" budget request is hard to follow, so here's a quick analysis:
May 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This from Jeffrey Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social) on NSF budget request: Trump has proposed cutting NSF's budget by more than half, to $4B, in FY 2026. The math in his "skinny" budget request is hard to follow, so here's a quick analysis:
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
Thanks to @npr.org for interviewing me on Morning Edition about the danger of #DOGE's gutting the federal research enterprise.
🧵A note on reform: I can't think of a serious #scipol researcher who DOESN'T believe in reform. DOGE is not focused on reform or efficiency.
one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...
🧵A note on reform: I can't think of a serious #scipol researcher who DOESN'T believe in reform. DOGE is not focused on reform or efficiency.
one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...
🔊 Listen Now: What happens when the federal government stops funding university research
Morning Edition on NPR One | 3:35
one.npr.org
April 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Thanks to @npr.org for interviewing me on Morning Edition about the danger of #DOGE's gutting the federal research enterprise.
🧵A note on reform: I can't think of a serious #scipol researcher who DOESN'T believe in reform. DOGE is not focused on reform or efficiency.
one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...
🧵A note on reform: I can't think of a serious #scipol researcher who DOESN'T believe in reform. DOGE is not focused on reform or efficiency.
one.npr.org?sharedMediaI...
The Comptroller General, who runs GAO, plays an important role as an impartial auditor who holds the Executive Branch accountable. They are appointed by the President, with Senate confirmation, to a 15-year term.
Guess when the current Comptroller General's term expires.
Guess when the current Comptroller General's term expires.
April 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The Comptroller General, who runs GAO, plays an important role as an impartial auditor who holds the Executive Branch accountable. They are appointed by the President, with Senate confirmation, to a 15-year term.
Guess when the current Comptroller General's term expires.
Guess when the current Comptroller General's term expires.
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
Today NSF eliminated all its advisory committees (except TIP) enacting Feb Trump EO
@science.org @politico.com @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social @chronicle.com @kvasquez.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @techiewonk.bsky.social @policyhound.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social
@science.org @politico.com @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social @chronicle.com @kvasquez.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @techiewonk.bsky.social @policyhound.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Today NSF eliminated all its advisory committees (except TIP) enacting Feb Trump EO
@science.org @politico.com @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social @chronicle.com @kvasquez.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @techiewonk.bsky.social @policyhound.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social
@science.org @politico.com @kathrynpalmer.bsky.social @chronicle.com @kvasquez.bsky.social @scipolguy.bsky.social @techiewonk.bsky.social @policyhound.bsky.social @matthourihan.bsky.social @asa-scipol.bsky.social
Important story amid everything else. | DOGE comes for the data wonks
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
DOGE comes for the data wonks
America may soon be unable to measure itself properly
economist.com
April 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Important story amid everything else. | DOGE comes for the data wonks
economist.com/united-state...
economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Matt Hourihan
A new lawsuit argues that canceling billions in research grants will delay scientific advancements, compromise human health and even result in deaths.
Researchers, Higher Ed Union Fight NIH’s Grant Terminations
A new lawsuit argues that canceling billions in research grants will delay scientific advancements, compromise human health and even result in deaths.
www.insidehighered.com
April 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A new lawsuit argues that canceling billions in research grants will delay scientific advancements, compromise human health and even result in deaths.