If you're a scientist that serves on an NSF panel that got cancelled today, I'd love to talk to you about it for an NPR story. DM, email or reach out on signal.
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FYI, having served on a number of panels (retired for five years now) panel members are told not to reveal they are on a panel. Keep that in mind for a number reasons.
Odd, because NIH Study Sections publish member lists and meeting schedules. This is actually important because applicants have the option of asking for specific people NOT to review their proposal due to conflicts, past disputes, etc.
Okay that’s cool. But yeah, initially I thought that too. But I learned with NIH, panels only make recommendations, but administrators can and often override the reviewers. It seemed like “let’s pretend” to me.
I’m used to the NIH system, where the study section gives a score but the NIH component funding the initiative makes a decision based on the proposal alignment with their goals.
(also, NSF has been clear that it's okay to say that you have been on a panel and are able to discuss the panel in general terms, but not to reveal any specifics such as the exact date of the panel or what the topic of the panel is.)
Maybe that is the case since I have retired (which I was clear to note), but per the journalists’ request, a person acknowledging participation today would be in violation. I guess they may not be as strict as in “my time.”
Can you also write a story about how to support undergrad and grad students who have had their research funding cancelled and job offers rescinded b/c they fell under DEI funds? Or who might have funds/jobs revoked after Feb 1 b/c the research is not valued by the new admin?
'Charlie Ellsworth, a senior adviser to the Checks and Balances War Room of the Congressional Integrity Project, noted the order text doesn’t make a distinction between obligated and unobligated dollars from the infrastructure and climate laws — ...
Fair enough, I'm in a couple different threads dealing with executive orders that stop funding. Some funding is being stopped after award contracts have already been signed. Some midway in funding.
Many government contracts, including most I administered have a terminate for convenience clause. I don't know if you're a lawyer, but there is a long way between congress mandating spending through appropriations and actual spending that is carried out in the executive branch.
leaving large questions for the administration to answer.
“It’s certainly even a step further than we thought the administration would go. Now they’re violating contract laws as well as the Constitution,” Ellsworth, former budget staffer to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.'
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and the sick thing is, it is a lede not far removed from reality
"You may indicate (e.g., on a resume’) that you served NSF on a review panel — do not identify which panel(s)"
'Charlie Ellsworth, a senior adviser to the Checks and Balances War Room of the Congressional Integrity Project, noted the order text doesn’t make a distinction between obligated and unobligated dollars from the infrastructure and climate laws — ...
“It’s certainly even a step further than we thought the administration would go. Now they’re violating contract laws as well as the Constitution,” Ellsworth, former budget staffer to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.'
...