iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Transitioned to NSF Gold Mug status today. iykyk.

Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

US GEO folks: A few NSF POs are traveling again (!!) & several are hitting the regional GSAs. @drrocks1982.bsky.social + @llautz.bsky.social are headed to the Triple-Joint meeting in Memphis, I'll be in Hartford for the Northeastern. We are hype to see the community! Reach out if you'll be there!

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Jeffrey Mervis @policyhound.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

NSF leaders have just acknowledged what many scientists have long suspected: Presidential directives to boost AI and quantum have upended its traditional way of doing business. www.science.org/content/arti...

science.org

NSF officials break silence on how AI and quantum now drive agency grantmaking

Leaders acknowledge White House role in controversial moves

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Li Li (李黎) @lireactivewater.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

First #WARR of 2026! Dr. Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social from WaLCZ NSF and Dr. Kathy Bloomer from FFAR will kick off 2026 with a panel on "Navigating funding uncertainties" Register: psu.zoom.us/meeting/regi... WARR 2021 - 2026: www.cee.psu.edu/events/women...

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I’m here at #AGU25! Looking forward to connecting with the research community and talking science. Looking for the NSF booth? Out of necessity we’ve gone mobile! See you out there…

Conference badge and button for science meeting

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

NSF - Forced reorg - POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements) - Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …) I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing. “Details matter” 🙃

Boxing up the NSF at Eisenhower Av for the forced relocation. Boxes have “Details Matter” signage.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...

nsf.gov

Resumption of Operations at NSF

Information for NSF staff and the research community regarding the agency's resumption of operations after a lapse in appropriations.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

The Alexandria Brief @alexandriabrief.com · 14/11/2025

The U.S. National Science Foundation will relocate to the Randolph Building at 401 Dulany Street in early 2026.

open.substack.com

NSF to move to Carlyle Innovation Campus after HUD displacement

Agency will co-locate with USPTO at Randolph Building in early 2026

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

“More than 140 employees of the National Science Foundation have signed a letter denouncing what they described as efforts to undermine one of the country’s main science funding agencies. … Out of fear of retaliation, all but one of the employees’ signatures are redacted.”

nytimes.com

Amid Fear of Retaliation, N.S.F. Workers Sign Letter of Dissent

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

US Earth Science people: Our June webinar felt so good, we’re making it a series. Join us next Tuesday 7/15 (and again in Aug & Sept) to hear from NSF staff and to get (most of?) your questions answered. www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-d...

nsf.gov

NSF Division of Earth Sciences Informational Webinar

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Bob Kopp @bobkopp.net · 25/06/2025

They are kicking the National Science Foundation out of their 8-year-old HQ building, with no alternative plan for housing staff, in order to make a gym for Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Scott Turner and his family.

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Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

NEW: NSF will be kicked out of their building. Announcement will be made tomorrow by HUD Sec. and Governor of VA. HUD will take over the NSF building over the next two years. NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

National Science Foundation Surprise: Employees Being Relocated to Accommodate Secretary of HUD’s Palatial New Office www.afge.org/contentasset...

afge.org

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

US Earth Scientists: We know you have questions, come get them answered directly from NSF/EAR POs! Tuesday, June 17, 2p Eastern. Register here: www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-d...

nsf.gov

NSF Division of Earth Sciences Informational Webinar

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

This proposed budget is a policy statement, not an appropriation. There are still a lot of steps and potential changes ahead before it becomes one. This is not a time to sit quietly, team. Let's go.

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Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

How bad will it be? Catastrophic. Proposed cuts to #NSF, #NIH, and #NASA will set the US R&D landscape back 25 yrs+, cause economic and job loss now, and undermine innovations to come. But, this is the WH's *proposed* budget. Speak up now before it is too late. (inflation adjusted $-s below)

NSF, NASA and NIH budgets per year, inflation adjusted from 2000-2025 along with the proposed cuts. NSF includes research component only. Massive cuts across all sectors, well below support spanning 25 years.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Social Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 31/05/2025

The NSF cuts are nothing short of a scorched-earth attack on US science, orchestrated w/political cynicism & total disregard for US scientific leadership. A 7% success rate doesn’t incentivize innovation; it tells researchers to take their talent elsewhere. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00-NSF...

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Anthony Edwards @edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

The National Science Foundation budget proposal would be a devastating blow to American science. 240,000 fewer people would be involved in federally-funded science in fiscal year 2026, according to estimates in the document. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00-NSF...

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Kevin Anchukaitis @thirstygecko.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Trump administration cuts to NSF will result in more than 200,000 FEWER people per year involved in basic science, training, and education - what should have been the next generation of US scientists. This isn't even eating your seed corn, it is setting your seed corn on fire and salting the earth.

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

An amazing group of dedicated federal workers celebrating 75 years of NSF supporting science. What a joy to be a part of! www.science.org/content/arti...

science.org

Is a photo subversive? NSF staff overcome obstacles to 75th anniversary portrait

Management tried to quash outpouring of support for beleaguered agency

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

I am thinking a lot today about how heavy things feel in my world of faculty doing scientific research. There's the immediate chaos and panic about our ability to pay people and continue our research. But there's also a deeper grief at watching everything get bulldozed for no reason

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about

nsf.gov

About EES

The NSF Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, especially those historically underrepresented in science and engineering.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Science Magazine @science.org · 09/05/2025

Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.

scim.ag

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

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I am so heartened to this seriously AWESOME #SaveNSF website go up today!!!! Has a take action toolkit with: 1. Press outreach templates 2. Social media toolkit 3. Elected official outreach 4. Talking points Check it out and share widely!!!! Likely more to come. www.savensf.com

Welcome to Save The U.S. National Science Foundation
A Girl Looking at a Physics Model
TAKE ACTION
Save NSF is a coalition of concerned scientists and allies who are working to save funding for scientific grants through the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Our mission is to support and advocate for the continuation of vital research and innovation in various scientific fields. NSF funding is critical to this work.

Join us in our endeavor to ensure a sustainable future for scientific exploration and discovery.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

SaveNSF is a coalition of concerned scientists and allies who are working to save funding for scientific grants through the NSF. The mission is to support and advocate for the continuation of vital research and innovation. Join: www.savensf.com

savensf.com

Home | Savensf

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

NEW: Starting May 5, NSF will implement an across-the-board 15% indirect cost rate (mirroring policies at DOE, NIH) Also, NSF staff expect 341 additional terminations today, bringing the total number of terminations to ~1,380.

Effective May 5, 2025, NSF will apply a standard indirect cost rate not to exceed 15% to all
grants and cooperative agreements awarded to IHEs for which indirect costs are allowable.1 The
awardee is authorized to determine the appropriate rate up to this limit.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Nature @nature.com · 01/05/2025

Staff members at the US National Science Foundation (NSF) were told on 30 April to “stop awarding all funding actions until further notice,” according to an email seen by Nature. go.nature.com/44Ugf9V

go.nature.com

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Science friends, I’ll be honest: We have no idea yet what any of this will mean. But I can tell you that I work alongside some of the best humans around and that we are fighters. www.science.org/content/arti...

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Lawrence Vulis @lvulis.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

NSF PD Raleigh Martin out with another statement on the NSF grant freezes. 🧪 ⚒️ #climatesky

(NOTE: These are my own personal views and do not reflect an official position of the federal government.)

This past Friday, my federal agency (the National Science Foundation) announced that hundreds of active scientific grants would be terminated because they are no longer aligned with NSF's priorities.

First, I am devastated to think about the hundreds of scientists (along with thousands of supporting students, researchers, and other staff) who have suddenly and arbitrarily had their grant funding yanked away. These are scientists who did everything right: undertaking years of grueling education, spending months thoughtfully preparing grant proposals (often multiple times after previous unsuccessful attempts), waiting further months for their proposals to be rigorously and competitively reviewed, diligently managing their awarded projects, submitting annual reports, and carefully adhering to NSF rules regarding allowable expenditures and grant activities. Despite following all the rules, these scientists will now be forced to throw away years of hard work, end student projects, and lay off staff, disrupting and even ending many scientific careers along the way.

Second, I am troubled by the arbitrariness of these grant termination actions which go against established law, procedure, and precedent. As a

federal agency, NSF is bound by laws enacted by Congress, as well as federal regulations regarding allowable grant activities. Specific funding opportunities are then informed by expert scientific staff closely attuned to their respective scientific fields and guided by external input including outside Advisory Committees (though these were also mostly terminated last week). All funding opportunities go through rigorous programmatic, managerial, and policy review before they are approved to ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and agency priorities. NSF priorities do change over time, and this is reflected in the evolution of funding opportunities that apply prospectively to new proposals and grants. But now is different. Now, existing NSF grants are experiencing a bait-and-switch: having been awarded based on one set of priorities, they are now being ended through a sudden and capricious change in these priorities.

And in many cases, these awards are being terminated despite doing exactly what Congress explicitly intended: expanding participation of women and individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM.

Finally, I am worried for the broader scientific enterprise. Until recently, America's scientific ecosystem has been the envy of the world: supported by a stable base of public investment, open to talent from across the globe, and built on a productive ecosystem of universities, research labs, and academic-industry partnerships. Unfortunately, these pillars of American innovation seem to be quickly crumbling, causing irreversible harm to our economic success and cultural dynamism.

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Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

What a roller coaster. I am grateful for and in awe of our wide NSF community. Reinstatement of fired staff is the right outcome of the first fight. www.axios.com/2025/03/03/n...

axios.com

National Science Foundation is reinstating fired probationary employees

The NSF said probationary employees help it remain a "global leader in scientific discovery and innovation."

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

NSF plans to reinstate all probationary employees who were fired on 18 Feb! NSF’s decision. 👏🏻👏🏻❤️

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Endless Screaming @infinitescream.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

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Lawrence Vulis @lvulis.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

From NSF EAR program director Raleigh Martin on LinkedIn #climatesky #greensky

Yesterday, my federal agency (NSF) experienced a sudden and mass firing of over 10% of our workforce. My own Division lost 20% of its staff. In the blink of an eye, we lost many brilliant scientists, dedicated civil servants, and parents/spouses/caregivers who no longer have a paycheck. The firing was completely arbitrary, with no actual plan to achieve "efficiency" but instead just picking off anyone with the fewest job protections. I grieve for my former colleagues and extend my hand to be of help however I can.

I still have a job - not based on my abilities but simply because my status makes me harder to fire. But who knows what comes next. I'm hoping this assault on science and government is just a passing storm, but even then the damage has already been devastating - careers broken, research disrupted, and resources wasted.

Science is the goose that lays golden eggs - unleashing human ingenuity and systematic thinking toward discoveries that transform our society for the better. Public science funding creates space for research that may not have immediate applications but will yield dividends down the road. Unfortunately, right now the science goose is being strangled and those golden eggs are being lost. Our society will be poorer, sicker, and weaker as a result.

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Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

168 colleagues lost yesterday, 6 in Earth Sciences alone. Today we grieved. And strategized. www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...

The office door of my colleague, fired from his job with no notice. His nameplate is covered in black paper.

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Jeremy Koster @jeremykoster.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Upon learning that yesterday would be my last day as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, I shared this parting message with my colleagues. The next few months will be frenetic and stressful for them. Here are some things that you can do to help them with the mission ahead. (1)

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Yesterday was the darkest day of my professional life so far. Many of NSF’s best and brightest people fired indiscriminately. The terms of their firing cruel. My colleagues matter, they are valued and they make a difference. I have no words. www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...

npr.org

National Science Foundation fires roughly 10% of its workforce

NSF fired 168 employees, leaving the agency less equipped to fund a wide range of scientific research.

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Margaret Fraiser @margaretfraiser.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Please let the GEO/EAR community know: Program Directors and Mission Support who’ve been at NSF under two years were just terminated via Zoom. Even those of us whose offer letter stated one probationary year and whose government data states “permanent”.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Jonathan Lambert @jonlambert.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

NEW: NSF confirmed that they fired 168 employees today, out of their staff of ~1,500 feds. This includes some people who'd finished their 1-year probationary periods, which were extended to 2-years last month without explanation. More to come.

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Check out this thread with Fact Sheets and interactive tools to learn about NSF’s impact across the US, in your state, and at universities in your community!

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Watched the PBS News Hour tonight to catch up on today’s news and what did I see? This gem, which is just what I needed in my news cycle. Check it out - I love hydrology! Featuring Emily Fairfax! youtu.be/F-HWKkIyfl0?...

youtu.be

Why engineers are turning to beavers for insights into managing water resources

YouTube video by PBS NewsHour

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Hi. Here’s a public update I am very glad to share: “Access to the Award Cash Management Service (ACM$) has been restored and the system is available to accept payment requests” new.nsf.gov/executive-or...

new.nsf.gov

NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders

Information for the NSF community regarding executive orders.

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Reposted by Laura Lautz

Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

NSF/Earth Sciences is hosting a series of office hours to talk about our new programs. Spend part of today with us and have your questions answered by nice federal scientists! 1:00p Eastern, see you there: nsf.zoomgov.com/meeting/regi...

nsf.zoomgov.com

Meeting Registration - Zoom

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Dr. Wendy Panero @mineraltoplanet.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Please join NSF Program Officers from the Division of Earth Sciences for office hours. Program Officers will answer your questions and share information about opportunities for funding and opportunities to get involved. There are four office hours scheduled: 1/3

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Interested in being a Program Director at NSF? We are looking for new Program Directors for the new "Chemical Evolution of the Solid Earth and Volcanology (CESEV)" and "Structure and Physics of the Solid Earth (SPSE)" programs. If you have questions, reach out anytime! new.nsf.gov/geo/ear/upda...

new.nsf.gov

NSF EAR hiring program directors

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Interested in learning about the new science programs in NSF's Division of Earth Sciences? including the Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes (WaLCZ) program? Check out the webpage, which includes information on how to register for tomorrow's WaLCZ webinar: new.nsf.gov/geo/updates/...

new.nsf.gov

Realigning the NSF Division of Earth Sciences

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Join us Tuesday, December 17th, at 3 pm Eastern Time for a webinar on the new Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes (WaLCZ) program! We will give a brief overview and then have plenty of time for Q&A - hope to see you there! Register here: nsf.zoomgov.com/webinar/regi...

nsf.zoomgov.com

Webinar Registration - Zoom

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Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

We can’t control the timing of things appearing on the NSF Earth Sciences website but finally the announcement, FAQ, and full solicitations for our realignment are out! DCL: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2025/ns... FAQ: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2025/ns... All EAR programs: new.nsf.gov/geo/ear

new.nsf.gov

Division of Earth Sciences (GEO/EAR)

Find out how the Division of Earth Sciences supports research, education and facilities that enable scientific advances in the earth sciences.

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Laura Lautz @llautz.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Interested in all the details about the 4 new science programs in the Division of Earth Sciences at NSF? Read our letter to the community. Also come find me at the NSF booth (1101) at #AGU24 from 2-4 pm today! We have stickers! www.nsf.gov/pubs/2025/ns...

nsf.gov

Dear Colleague Letter: The Division of Earth Sciences Realigns the Disciplinary Research Funding Program Portfolio with Four New Programs (nsf25021) | NSF - U.S. National Science FoundationLock

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