On March 20, 2013, the US Senate voted to place unprecedented restriction on the political science program at the NSF allowing only political science research that promotes “national security or the economic interests of the United States” as certified by the NSF director. APSA lobbied actively against this provision, through direct contact with the Senate, asking members to contact senators on their views and mobilize their own institutional government relations offices, and close cooperation with COSSA and other partners. Adoption of this provision intrudes into the widely-respected, independent scholarly agenda setting process at NSF that has supported our world-class national science enterprise for over sixty years. 

Immediately following the Senate vote, APSA issued a press release to the DC bureaus of national and international media, op-ed writers and political talk shows. APSA will continue a vigorous advocacy effort on this issue including direct lobbying activity, mobilizing grass roots efforts, and coordinating with our numerous partners. Please visit the APSA Advocacy page for further information and background on the origin of the Senate decision.