91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ

Jason Bossie Performance Improvement Officer U.S. National Science Foundation Randolph Building 401 Dulany Street Alexandria, Va. 22314

Dear Mr. Bossie, 

On behalf of the American Society for Microbiology (91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ), thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Draft FY 2026-2030 National Science Foundation (NSF) Strategic Plan. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ is one of the oldest and largest life science societies with 38,000 members in the U.S. and around the world. Our mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. Microbiology is a multidisciplinary endeavor, and the leadership of the National Science Foundation is instrumental in microbiology-based advances in human health, agriculture, energy and the environment. A viable future for America depends on science and technology, and microbiologists will play a key role. 

What opportunities exist that could help enable progress toward NSF's objectives and strategies? 

In 2024, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ launched a strategic roadmap, embracing its responsibility to support scientists and stakeholders, leveraging fundamental and applied science to positively impact life on our planet. The roadmap acknowledges the rapid advancement of the microbial sciences and microbe-driven innovation, and calls upon leaders in science, industry and society to harness the transformative power of microbes to address the most pressing challenges of our time. We recommend that NSF launch a similar call to the broader scientific community to catalyze innovation in service of humanity. 

We encourage NSF to continue to fund cross-cutting efforts that build the knowledge base, broaden access to new biological technologies and continue support for research coordination networks, especially in microbiome research. In recent years, NSF has solicited proposals for research into synthetic microbial communities, improving our biological knowledge base for designing synthetic microbial communities with applications in sustainability and biotechnology and biomanufacturing. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ appreciates that NSF has recognized the power of microbes and microbial processes to power solutions to societal challenges. Investments like these are integral to discovery, innovation and protecting national security. 

How might NSF foster partnerships with a wide range of organizations to implement the strategies in its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan? 

As 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ transforms into a home for global stakeholders to exchange knowledge and propel advances, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ also encourages NSF to strengthen relationships with scientific societies and scientific publishers across scientific domains. Societies and publishers have a finger on the pulse of research advancements and impact. Maintaining a robust partnership and 2-way communication, such as routine meetings with scientific society leadership and NSF participation in scientific society meetings, will enable NSF to hear timely updates from the cutting edge of discovery, and likewise, help societies communicate key federal science priorities in a timely manner.  

In addition, scientific societies can also be strong partners in priority areas like protecting research security by sharing research security policies and practices, convening experts in biosafety and biosecurity and developing field-specific guidance. For example, 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ convenes its members to develop consensus recommendations for biosecurity and biosafety and provides global biosafety training. 

What data or evidence should NSF consider as it develops mechanisms to evaluate progress and measure success in achieving the objectives in its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan? 

91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ recommends that NSF work closely with scientific and professional societies in addition to institutions of higher education to develop a fuller picture of both the scientific research pipeline and the scientific workforce pipeline. Understanding the scientific research pipeline—the outputs and innovations derived from federal science funding—can help NSF achieve its goal of ensuring maximal impact of taxpayer dollars. Likewise, working with scientific societies to develop a fuller picture of discipline-specific career trajectories can identify gaps and future opportunities. 

Is there any other information that would assist NSF in achieving the goals and objectives under its FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan?

Robust and predictable funding for federal science agencies is fundamental to advancing the scientific enterprise. While 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ strongly supports a renewed focus on American innovation, none of this can happen if we do not invest in foundational research, data and physical infrastructure and a strong scientific workforce. American investment in research and development as a proportion of our economy is decreasing as the global science and engineering landscape grows. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ strongly encourages NSF to work with Congress to ensure sustainability for foundational and applied research, supporting research infrastructure, improving science literacy and a strong commitment to building the scientific workforce. To accelerate innovation, we must sustain our commitment to robust and predictable funding for federal agencies and programs that underpin the scientific enterprise. 

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Draft NSF FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. Please feel free to contact Nicole Zimmerman, Senior Federal Affairs Officer, at nzimmerman@asmusa.org if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.

Thank you,

Amalia Corby
Director of Federal Affairs
American Society for Microbiology