Connecting research to policy on Capitol Hill

In spring 2026, 25 MIT students and postdocs traveled to Washington for Congressional Visit Days, organized by the MIT Science Policy Initiative, to meet with 62 congressional offices from 32 states and advocate for sustained federal investment in scientific research. The visits came amid reported cuts to National Science Foundation programs and budget uncertainty. During the meetings, participants advocated for general science funding and discussed specific policies related to their research in areas such as artificial intelligence, environmental science, energy, space, and health. Congressional staffers showed interest in AI privacy and security, and in environmental topics like deep-sea mining and its ecological impacts. The program included preparatory training on federal funding processes and communication strategies, as well as networking with MIT alumni in Washington. Organizers stated the experience helps researchers connect their work to policy, while participants noted observing bipartisan support for science among staffers. This matters because it demonstrates a structured effort to equip early-career scientists with skills to inform federal policy decisions at a time of