Stand Up for Science to host NSF comment-writing workshop

Stand Up for Science will hold a virtual workshop on Aug. 14 to help people draft public comments on the National Science Foundation’s proposed update to its grant rules. The public comment period runs through Aug. 24, and the group has also launched an Action Center with guidance on the proposal.

Why it matters: - The National Science Foundation’s proposed policy changes could affect how the agency writes and administers grant rules. - Public comments can shape the final version of the proposal, especially while the White House budget office’s broader overhaul of federal grant rules remains unfinalized. - Stand Up for Science is trying to lower the barrier for scientists, organizations and other interested people to respond with detailed comments.

What happened: - Stand Up for Science will host a Rapid Response Workshop on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. Eastern. - The event is virtual, and participants can drop in for part or all of the session. - The workshop is designed to help attendees draft public comments on the National Science Foundation’s proposal to update its Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. - The group is also offering live help during the session from its experts.

The details: - The NSF proposal would align the agency’s grantmaking rules with a proposed overhaul of federal grant rules from the Office of Management and Budget. - That broader OMB overhaul has not been finalized. - Stand Up for Science has launched an Action Center with additional resources and tools for commenters. - The Action Center includes a guide to the key changes in the NSF proposal. - The public comment period remains open through Aug. 24, 2026. - Stand Up for Science says founder and CEO Dr. Colette Delawalla is available for comment and media appearances. - More information and registration are available through the session registration page.

Between the lines: - The workshop is part training session, part mobilization effort. - Stand Up for Science is framing the NSF proposal as part of a larger fight over federal science policy and grantmaking rules. - The group is using its Action Center to turn a public notice into a coordinated response.

What's next: - Commenters have until Aug. 24, 2026, to submit feedback on the NSF proposal. - The Aug. 14 workshop may help shape the volume and quality of public comments filed before the deadline. - The NSF will eventually weigh the comments as it considers the proposed policy update.

The bottom line: - Stand Up for Science is trying to make the NSF rulemaking process easier to navigate, and the next key date is the Aug. 24 comment deadline.