Science Policy

SIAM functions as a source of information for both public and private agencies regarding the community of applied mathematicians, computational scientists, and data scientists, and regarding the state of the fields.

Get Involved

Want to get involved in U.S. science policy? Browse these resources to participate in grassroots advocacy from contacting your representative to participating in SIAM programs and committees.

Find Your Senator

Questions and comments about public policy, legislation, and more can be directed to the senators from your state.

Find Your House of Representatives Member

Not sure which congressional district you are in or who your representative is? Use this website to find out!

Engage with Congressional Offices

Looking to contact your elected officials? Check out these helpful tips for engaging them effectively via email or phone call.

Browse the Guide to Visiting Representatives

Are you visiting Capitol Hill? Read up on tips for your next visit from the American Mathematical Society.

Participate in the SIAM Science Policy Fellowship

This program develops post-doctoral fellows and early career researchers into strong advocates for U.S. federal support in applied mathematics and computational and data science. Three to five fellowship recipients will be selected each year to serve two-year terms.

Serve on the Committee on Science Policy

Through this committee, SIAM provides timely information to its membership regarding science policy and funding. SIAM also provides information to policy makers regarding issues of interest to its members when SIAM member's expertise offers something to contribute to the discussions.

What is Science Policy and Why Is It Important?

Science policy involves the laws, regulations, funding, budgets, and new ideas that govern how science is performed in our country. In this video, hear from experts about the ins and outs of U.S. science policy and SIAM’s important role.

What is Science Policy and Why Is It Important?

SIAM Science Policy Reports, White Papers, and Letters

  • SIAM Science Policy Task Force Reports

    SIAM Quantum Intersections Convening

    SIAM hosted a 3-day interactive workshop on October 7-9, 2024, bringing quantum-curious mathematical scientists together with leading experts in quantum science. This convening was designed to foster and increase the involvement and visibility of mathematicians and statisticians in quantum science research and education. Recognizing the critical role of mathematical scientists, this convening aimed to promote multidisciplinary collaborations that bridge the gap between mathematics and quantum sciences. Recommendations were made to the U.S. National Science Foundation and other federal research and development agencies. Read the report.

    SIAM Task Force Report: The Future of Computational Science

    Advances in artificial intelligence, powerful new computing platforms, and an increasingly complex landscape for future computing hardware represent both new opportunities and new challenges. These developments place computational science at an inflection point. In 2023, SIAM commissioned a task force to assess this complex landscape and to craft a strategic vision for the field in the United States for the next 15 years. The overarching finding of the SIAM Task Force on the Future of Computational Science is that computational science is essential and plays a crucial role in scientific discovery, the economy, and national security, and that investments that ensure the continued leadership of the U.S. should be a high national priority. Read the report. 

    Research and Education Priorities to Address Climate Change, Boost Environmental Resilience, and Advance Clean Energy 

    This report contains recommendations to the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and other organizations on areas of research and education related to climate change, environmental resilience, and clean energy that would benefit from involvement of the applied mathematics and computational science community. The SIAM Climate Task Force was created under the SIAM Committee on Science Policy and was made up of a diverse group of experts from academia and national laboratories. Read the report. 

    Report on Future Research Directions for the National Science Foundation in the Era of COVID-19

    In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, SIAM created the Task Force on Future Research Directions for NSF in the Era of COVID-19 under the SIAM Committee on Science Policy (CSP). Read the report. 

  • Science Policy White Papers

  • Advocacy Letters

  • Advocacy One-Pagers

The opportunity to learn about research priorities and initiatives directly from agency directors was invaluable, and firsthand knowledge about the creation of program initiatives is crucial to furthering our understanding of the way in which public need influences and pivots research directions. Recognizing the impact of these choices on the SIAM community underscores the significance of the SIAM Committee on Science Policy. By participating in the SIAM Science Policy Fellowship Program, I gained a deeper appreciation of the committee’s importance in the context of science policy.

Samantha Erwin 2020 SIAM Science Policy Fellow