Advocating for science budget and policy
MIT's Science Policy Initiative sends students and postdocs to Capitol Hill to advocate for continued and increased federal support for scientific research. A group of 20 MIT students and postdocs from various departments traveled to Washington from March 27-29 to advocate for increased federal funding of scientific research for the 2024 fiscal year. The trip was part of the Congressional Visit Days program, organized by MIT's Science Policy Initiative, a student-run organization that introduces the scientists of tomorrow to the policymakers of today. The visit aimed to raise awareness about the importance of funding science research and the role that federal funding for the sciences has played in the lives of students and researchers at MIT and beyond. The timing of the visit coincided with the ongoing appropriations process in Congress, providing students and researchers a critical opportunity to participate in the nation's appropriations process and advocate for an increased budget for research. During their visit, the MIT students and young professionals conducted training with MIT's Washington Office, learning more about how different political landscapes affect funding for the sciences, and how to effectively communicate and advocate for policies with Congressional staffers. Participants shared their personal experiences with research and how federal funding for programs such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Program, a fellowship program to support outstanding graduate students, has enabled students to get critical experience.
