Connecting research to policy on Capitol Hill
MIT students and postdocs discussed science funding and research with policymakers in Washington during the MIT Science Policy Initiative's annual Congressional Visit Days. MIT students and postdocs traveled to Washington to meet with U. Senate and House of Representatives staffers.
Key Takeaways
- Over two days, they met with over 60 offices from 32 states, advocating for policies ranging from NSF funding to AI safety.
Science Policy Initiative Publication Date : July 30, 2026 Caption : Congressional Visit Days participants pose on the steps of the U.
- With recent cuts to National Science Foundation programs and continued uncertainty surrounding the federal research budget, these conversations were especially timely.
Over the course of just two days, participants met with 62 congressional offices representing 32 states to discuss the importance of federal support for scientific research, higher education, and other policy concerns related to their individual research areas.
- Robertson reflects on the experience: "Having attended the trip as a participant last year, stepping into the role of a co-leader this year was a big commitment that was well worth the payoff.
It was rewarding to build on the work of past leaders, strengthening the CVD experience for participants by training and encouraging them to discuss not just general science funding advocacy in their meetings, but also specific policies tied to their research.
- These sessions provided background on the federal appropriations process, the role of congressional staff in shaping legislation, and practical strategies for communicating scientific expertise to policymakers.
The training sessions also gave participants a chance to practice sharing their research and policy pitches with each other in mock "Hill meetings.
- They also expressed strong interest in hot environmental topics, such as deep-sea mining, and were eager to learn more about its associated environmental consequences.
Stats & Key Facts
- #Over two days, they met with over 60 offices from 32 states, advocating for policies ranging from NSF funding to AI safety.
- #Credits : Photo: Audrey Parker Previous image Next image This spring, 25 MIT students and postdocs traveled to Washington to meet with congressional staffers and advocate for sustained federal investment in scientific research.
MIT students and postdocs discussed science funding and research with policymakers in Washington during the MIT Science Policy Initiative's annual Congressional Visit Days. Science Policy Initiative Publication Date : July 30, 2026 Caption : Congressional Visit Days participants pose on the steps of the U. Senator Alex Padilla '94 (D-Calif.
Credits : Photo: Audrey Parker Previous image Next image This spring, 25 MIT students and postdocs traveled to Washington to meet with congressional staffers and advocate for sustained federal investment in scientific research. With recent cuts to National Science Foundation programs and continued uncertainty surrounding the federal research budget, these conversations were especially timely. Over the course of just two days, participants met with 62 congressional offices representing 32 states to discuss the importance of federal support for scientific research, higher education, and other policy concerns related to their individual research areas.
Each spring, the MIT Science Policy Initiative (SPI) organizes Congressional Visit Days (CVD), a program that introduces graduate students and postdocs to the federal policymaking process while demonstrating the many ways scientists can engage in policy advocacy. In addition to meeting with congressional offices, participants connect with Washington-based MIT alumni and members of the MIT Washington Office to learn about careers at the intersection of science and public policy. This year's CVD was co-organized by Audrey Parker, a PhD student in civil and environmental engineering at MIT, and Ian Robertson, a PhD student in physical oceanography at MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
For more details please read the original article at MIT News AI.
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