Latest news with #NSF
The Hill
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Hill
National Science Foundation staffers express concerns about ‘politically motivated and legally questionable' Trump actions
Employees of the National Science Foundation (NSF) are going public with what they described as 'politically motivated and legally questionable' actions by the Trump administration related to their agency. Their concerns range from mass firings by the administration's Department of Government Efficiency to interference with the grant process. In particular, the employees allege that for grants 'a covert and ideologically driven secondary review process by unqualified political appointees is now interfering with the scientific merit-based review system.' The accusation and others are detailed in a letter addressed to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Lofgren said at a press conference that the letter was being submitted to her office as 'a protected whistleblower disclosure.' It was signed by 149 staffers, virtually all of whom signed either anonymously or whose names were redacted in the version of the letter that was made public on Tuesday. The NSF is an independent science agency that supports scientific research across various fields including biology, engineering, computer science and geoscience. The agency declined to comment on the letter. The staffers also said that the administration canceled 1,600 NSF grants in April and May using 'undisclosed criteria' and that the White House Office of Management was withholding $2.2 billion of the agency's $9 billion budget that was appropriated by Congress. 'Members of the administration have a say on what programs get funded and what proposals get awarded,' said Jesus Soriano, president of the AFGE Local 3403, which represents NSF employees. Their full list of concerns was: 'A Proposed Budget Cut That Would Cripple American Science,' 'Termination of Active Research Awards Without Transparency or Lawful Justification,' 'Political Review of Scientific Grants,' 'Withholding of Appropriated Funds,' 'Unlawful Terminations and Threatened Mass Reductions in Force,' 'Coerced Resignations and Loss of Expertise,' 'Unannounced and Unplanned Eviction from Headquarters' and 'NSF's Betrayal of Scientific Integrity Through Politicized Probation Policies.' The letter comes after staff members at other agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health published letters of 'dissent' to raise concerns about Trump administration policies. The administration put the signers of the EPA letter on leave
News18
6 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Transparency, Autonomy, Resolution: How The National Sports Bill Aims To Redefine Indian Sporting Scene
Last Updated: The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 aims to boost transparency, autonomy, and dispute resolution in Indian sports, aiming for top-10 Olympic status by 2036. After years of planning, consultation, and global benchmarking, the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 is ready for introduction—poised to redefine the future of sports administration in India. The bill, which Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will table in Parliament on Wednesday during the ongoing monsoon session, aims to instill transparency, fairness, and robust governance across the country's sports ecosystem. A core focus of the bill is to ensure the independent and efficient functioning of national sports bodies, free from political interference. It brings these organizations under a unified regulatory framework while preserving their operational autonomy. One of the bill's major provisions is the establishment of a Sports Tribunal—a dedicated body to resolve disputes between athletes, office-bearers, and sports federations. Though the judiciary retains ultimate review powers, the tribunal is intended to provide a faster, more specialized mechanism for conflict resolution. Importantly, the bill also defers to the Olympic Charter in case of any policy conflict, reinforcing India's commitment to global standards of sport governance. The legislation supports India's broader ambition to become a top-10 Olympic nation by 2036. To this end, it mandates athlete representation in every National Sports Federation (NSF), enforces international best practices for high-performance governance, and prioritizes merit-based selection processes—minimizing internal rifts that often hinder Olympic preparations. Regular audits of NSFs will promote financial accountability and ensure optimal use of public funds allocated for elite sports development. The bill also lays down legal clarity around governance roles, enhancing India's credibility with bodies like the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and boosting prospects for hosting future international events. Athletes at the Center of Governance Placing athletes at the heart of decision-making, the bill requires each NSF to form Athlete Committees and include Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs) in their leadership structures. This gives athletes a direct role in shaping sport-specific policies and ethical standards. The bill guarantees safe, harassment-free environments and establishes transparent, accessible grievance redressal mechanisms. It also aims to reduce career disruptions caused by drawn-out legal battles—creating a governance model rooted in accountability, athlete welfare, and inclusive administration across all levels of Indian sport. (with IANS inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
7 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
BCCI to come under National Sports Bill. How will it impact cricket body?
A top Sports Ministry source confirmed to India Today on Tuesday, July 22, that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will come under the ambit of the National Sports Bill. While the BCCI does not rely on government funding, its inclusion was widely anticipated, especially with Indian cricket teams set to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles draft Sports Bill was unveiled by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday to reform the sports ecosystem in India. Roger Binny, who is currently serving as the BCCI president, turned 70 on Saturday, July 19, meaning that he had reached the age limit and would have been asked to step down. With the Sports Bill coming into effect, the BCCI as a National Sports Federation (NSF) is expected to come under its until 2019, BCCI wasn't a NSF. It came under the RTI act in 2020. But with the sports bill covering it, BCCI will automatically become an NSF, and all rules of the sports ministry will be applicable. WHAT IS THE NATIONAL SPORTS BILL? The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aimed at overhauling the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports bodies. The proposed legislation seeks to introduce transparency, athlete-centric reforms, and global best practices into the country's sports governance draft Bill comes after years of unsuccessful attempts at reform and is intended to ensure ethical conduct, protect athletes' rights, and create a professional and dispute-free environment across the sporting ecosystem. It also seeks to align India's sports governance structure with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters, thereby strengthening the country's credentials to host major international events, including a potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.A key feature of the Bill is its focus on athletes. For the first time, sportspersons will be at the centre of policy-making. All NSFs, including the Indian Olympic Association and the National Paralympic Committee, will be required to establish Athletes' Committees. These panels will provide sportspersons with a formal platform to voice concerns and contribute to decision-making Bill also mandates that two sportspersons of outstanding merit be part of the Executive Committees of all recognised sports bodies. To improve gender representation, it makes it compulsory to include at least four women in every Executive address the issue of prolonged legal disputes, the Bill proposes the formation of a National Sports Tribunal. This body will serve as a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports-related conflicts. Its decisions can be challenged only in the Supreme Court, thereby reducing delays that have impacted the careers of several cases where federations are suspended or lose recognition, the Bill authorises the proposed National Sports Board (NSB) to appoint ad-hoc administrative bodies. These interim panels will be composed of experienced sports administrators, ensuring continuity in training, selection, and athlete NSB, a newly proposed entity, will act as the central authority for granting recognition to NSFs and their state and district affiliates. It will also oversee governance, compliance, and the distribution of funds. By taking over the regulatory responsibilities of the Ministry, the NSB aims to bring professionalism and autonomy to sports Bill places a strong emphasis on transparency. All recognised sports bodies will be brought under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005, enabling public access to decision-making processes and financial National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, marks a significant step towards reshaping India's sporting landscape through structural reforms, enhanced accountability, and athlete-first CAN THE BILL AFFECT SPORTS FEDERATIONS?The upcoming Sports Governance Bill, though it drops the word "regulatory," is poised to bring sweeping changes to Indian sport by setting up a powerful National Sports Board (NSB) with the authority to suspend sports federations either based on complaints or its own initiative. The proposed body, entirely appointed by the central government, will have the mandate to act on issues ranging from flawed elections to financial mismanagement within national to the draft finalised after multiple rounds of consultation with stakeholders and public input, the NSB will be headed by a chairperson and staffed by members selected through a search-cum-selection process overseen by the government. The selection panel will be chaired by either the Cabinet Secretary or the Secretary of Sports and will include the Director General of the Sports Authority of India, two former top office-bearers of national federations, and a decorated athlete who has received either the Arjuna, Khel Ratna or Dronacharya first proposed in last year's draft, the Board will be empowered to recognise national federations and appoint ad-hoc panels to oversee sports bodies that have been suspended. It will also be responsible for engaging with international federations to ensure athlete welfare and for issuing binding guidelines to national federations to bring their functioning in line with global standards.- EndsMust Watch
Japan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Scientists can't stay in their ivory tower
For decades, scientists were told to stay neutral, stay professional — and stay in the lab. But today, as U.S. researchers rally in the streets and lawmakers slash science budgets, one thing is clear: science can't stay in its ivory tower anymore. In March, over 2,000 researchers, students and supporters gathered across the United States to protest sweeping science and technology budget cuts. The Trump administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 — dubbed by some as a 'skinny' or 'beautiful' budget — proposes a 47% cut to NASA's science budget and a staggering 56% cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Funding for climate change research has been virtually eliminated. Unless Congress intervenes, the U.S. faces the most severe science and technology budget cuts in modern history. In response, scientists across the country are beginning to speak out. NASA employees held peaceful protests opposing the proposed cuts, while nearly 2,000 leading U.S. scientists — including over 30 Nobel laureates and numerous members of the National Academies — signed an open letter warning that the nation's scientific enterprise is being 'decimated' and issued an 'SOS' to the public. The American Association for the Advancement of Science — the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society — also urged scientists to speak publicly and engage policymakers. As its CEO Sudip Parikh warned, 'If enacted, the FY2026 budget request would end America's global scientific leadership.' This level of public mobilization by scientists is rare in the U.S., where most academics were trained to stay 'above politics.' But in this moment, they realized something critical: Silence can't protect science. As a Japanese scientist who has lived in the United States for over two decades, I'm watching this unfold with deep concern — and a sense of deja vu. While Japan's science funding hasn't yet faced cuts on the scale of the U.S., the underlying threats are already present: public disengagement, institutional invisibility and a shrinking voice in policymaking. In Japan, researchers are often taught that engaging in public debate or policy will jeopardize their credibility. We pride ourselves on being impartial and apolitical. These are admirable traits in scholarship — but dangerous in the public sphere. If scientists don't tell our story — of discovery, impact and public benefit — others will tell it for us. And not everyone has science's best interest in mind. Already, we see mounting political and societal pressure around AI ethics, environmental policy and gender equity in STEM. These are areas where science should guide the conversation — not respond after the fact. In the U.S., we're seeing a cultural shift. Scientists are not just publishing papers — they're writing op-eds, organizing briefings with lawmakers and speaking directly to the public. Their message is clear: Science is not separate from society — it serves society. Japan, too, has ambitions to globalize its research base. Last month, the Cabinet Office launched J-RISE (Japan Research & Innovation for Scientific Excellence) — a ¥100 billion ($673 million) initiative to make Japan the world's most attractive destination for researchers. While the U.S. faces historic cuts to science and technology funding, Japan is signaling its commitment to global scientific leadership. But there's a paradox: While the Japanese government actively seeks foreign talent, many domestic researchers still hesitate to engage with their own communities or shape the future of science policy. One institutional tool the U.S. has embraced is the idea of 'Broader Impacts.' Every NSF proposal requires researchers to explain how their work will benefit society — whether through education, outreach or broader societal impacts. Outreach is not a side project; it is baked into the mission of science. This expectation reflects a core reality: Most scientific research is publicly funded and scientists have a responsibility to give back to society. Japan has no such requirement, and as a result, science communication and community connection are often seen as optional — or even overlooked — in Japanese academic culture. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill shortly after the Trump administration took office, as a member of the U.S.–Japan Network for the Future, a policy fellowship organized by the Mansfield Foundation and the Japan Foundation. I am honored to be the first scientist ever selected for this program. Our cohort of scholars and policy practitioners engaged directly with congressional staff and U.S. agencies, gaining insight into how science and policy intersect — and often collide. We recently traveled to Tokyo and Kyushu, where cities like Fukuoka and Kumamoto are transforming into "Japan's Silicon Valley,' driven by the semiconductor industry, government-backed startup accelerators and progressive immigration initiatives. These experiences underscored a critical truth: Science, diplomacy and innovation are inseparable — yet scientists remain largely absent from policymaking circles. Now is the time for scientists to return to society — not just as experts, but as engaged members of the public we serve. We must listen, communicate and collaborate. In a divided information landscape, science alone will not speak for itself. We must. Yuko Kakazu, an astrophysicist, is a cohort member of the Mansfield Foundation's U.S.-Japan Network for the Future.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen
A mysterious visitor from another star system is currently flying through our cosmic neighborhood, and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. The recently discovered comet is unlike anything we have seen before. The first detection of 3I/ATLAS was made on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. According to a statement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) NOIRLab, which runs the International Gemini Observatory, it is only the third known interstellar object, indicating it didn't originate in our solar system, as per a report by Space. While traveling toward the inner solar system, the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS was spotted by astronomers in a stunning new image. Only three interstellar objects have been found to reach our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. The newly discovered comet was photographed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i as it passed through our cosmic neighborhood, some 290 million miles (465 million kilometers) away from Earth. The Gemini North telescope captured this massive 12-mile-wide comet, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from beyond our star. ALSO READ: Wicked 2 just made a massive change to this character, and fans might actually love it On October 30, 3I/ATLAS will cross within 130 million miles (210 million km), or barely inside the orbit of Mars, of the sun. No threat to Earth will come from 3I/ATLAS, which will pass within 170 million miles (270 million km) of Earth in December."This interstellar wanderer has been critically characterized early thanks to the International Gemini Observatory's sensitivity and scheduling agility," said Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory."We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars."The relics of distant star systems that have been blasted into space are known as interstellar objects, such as 3I/ATLAS. According to the statement, they provide important information about the components that were present when and where other planetary systems in the universe formed, including their chemical composition, as per a report by it is thought that other objects of this kind frequently go through our solar system, they are very challenging to photograph. ALSO READ: 12,000 years of art? Ancient Mongolian elk carvings morph into mysterious wolf symbols However, 3I/ATLAS is a better target for research because it is significantly larger than earlier interstellar objects, with an estimated diameter of 12 miles (20 km). The comet has a compact coma, which is the cloud of gas and dust around its icy core, according to the latest photos taken by the Gemini North observatory. According to other observations, it might be the oldest comet ever found, possibly older than our solar system and it originates from the Milky Way's outer thick will be 3I/ATLAS's only visit to our solar system because of its extremely eccentric orbit, which prevents it from making a full orbit around the sun. Therefore, during the comet's brief visit before it departs for interstellar space, astronomers from all over the world are observing it with a variety of telescopes. Why is 3I/ATLAS such a big deal?It's only the third interstellar object ever discovered, and it's the largest by far. Will it return or hit Earth? No. It will pass by safely and not return; it is a one-time visitor.
