The Coalition for Aerospace and Science request Congress appropriate at least $26 billion for Fiscal Year 2027, a vital increase to maintain development and execution of ongoing missions while initiating work on new groundbreaking endeavors.
The NIST Coalition calls for $1.283 billion in base funding to NIST’s scientific and technical research and services, as well as at least $200 million for NIST’s Construction of Research Facilities account in the FY27 appropriations process.
In response to the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act signed into law this month, the NIST Coalition expresses our thanks for your support in increasing the budget for the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
SPIE writes to express significant concern about the scope and potential unintended consequences of the proposed data collection requirements, particularly the mandatory collection of extensive personal information — including social media account identifiers, extensive contact history, and biometric data — for travelers seeking authorization under the Visa Waiver Program and related entry procedures.
Optical and photonic technologies underpin critical capabilities across semiconductors, quantum information science, biomedical imaging, national defense, advanced manufacturing, and communications. As a field that spans fundamental physics through high-value commercialization, our community offers the following recommendations in response to OSTP’s questions.
On behalf of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) – an alliance of over 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses united in our advocacy for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – we urge you to fund NSF at the highest level possible in FY 2026 appropriations.
We write as U.S. industry leaders in quantum computing, networking, sensing, and cryptography to thank you for recognizing the value of quantum technology and urge you to reauthorize and fully fund the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) in 2025.
On behalf of the undersigned stakeholders representing optics and photonics companies with headquarters in the EU, we support maintaining the EU’s next-generation Framework Programme 10 as a robust, stand-alone research and innovation programme with a dedicated budget targeting 3% of GDP.
For FY26 appropriations, we urge increased investment in NIST’s core laboratory research programs in the STRS account at a minimum of four percent plus inflation. Additionally, we urge Congress to appropriate $200 million for NIST facilities.
On behalf of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) – an alliance of more than 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses united in our advocacy for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – we write to respectfully request that your committees provide at least $9.9 billion for NSF in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
The United States must maintain its leadership in science, technology and innovation globally. The DOE Office of Science plays a pivotal and leading role in addressing our country’s energy and national security challenges. For these reasons, we urge Congress to provide $9.5 billion for the Office of Science in FY 2026.
New Zealand’s photonics-based industry sector accounts for around $1.5 billion of economic activity and employs around 4,700 people in 354 companies1 with an output comparable to the country’s fishing and aquaculture industries. We strongly believe in the critical role of scientific research across the entire economy of New Zealand. While acknowledging the prevailing budgetary constraints, we encourage you to boost the comparatively low level of public investment in scientific research.
Expressing support for the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act to establish a Foundation for Standards and Metrology within the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), providing a pathway to a more resilient future for the institute.