We are living in a time of turmoil and frustration in the scientific community. The seemingly random cuts in the federal science workforce are weakening the science and technology foundation our nation is built on. Right now, we are focused on an urgent deadline: March 14 is the date by which Congress must pass a fiscal year 2025 budget that sets funding levels for federal science agencies. If Congress fails to finalize the budget at current proposed levels, it could cement drastic cuts to research that will be extremely difficult to recover from. We are acting decisively to get to the best possible outcome for science. In addition, I urge you to call, email or visit your members of Congress to share personal stories that bring home the impacts of these decisions on you and the health, prosperity and security of your communities and the U.S. Setting up meetings with your members of Congress and using suggested talking points will empower you to help push forward our shared goals. Please use these resources today. 

In January, I mentioned that we’ve designed a yearlong series of opportunities and events for those who wish to get involved and engage in strategic ways. If you want to connect with other STEMM professionals in your region to address issues that affect your family, friends and neighbors, remember you can join the AAAS Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) as well as one of the new regional groups we set up last month. These groups will enable you to exchange resources and join forces on community-driven initiatives on the ground. 

As we respond to urgent challenges, we must also be thinking long-term. In a time of uncertainty, it is essential to provide our own vision for the future—one that highlights the relationship between science and America’s success. On March 19, I will be joined in a special virtual discussion by members of the Vision for American Science & Technology (VAST) Task Force to discuss recommendations and actions we can take to ensure the future competitiveness of American S&T. RSVP here to join the conversation.  

Thank you for all of the ways you bring your expertise, passion and participation to our work on behalf of the science enterprise. And thanks to many of you who voted in the recent AAAS Election – here’s who we elected!  

I look forward to working with you – particularly in the months to come. To help fuel your efforts, here is a moment of awe: check out the Science study showing that mice try to revive each other.