May 2025: Federal Policy Updates

Phi Beta Kappa began with a student-driven idea that the arts and sciences could serve as a grounding and elevating force in turbulent times. Today, times are turbulent for the arts and sciences themselves as policymakers propose cuts to critical funding for higher education accessibility, scientific research, and the nation’s cultural endowments. Amid uncertainty, here are some productive ways to champion the arts and sciences.

• Read Phi Beta Kappa’s Statement of Support for Lawsuit Alleging Illegal Dismantling of the National Endowment for the Humanities
• Read the “Call for Constructive Engagement” statement jointly signed by higher education leaders including Phi Beta Kappa’s Secretary Frederick Lawrence
• Read the joint statement in support of the National Endowment for the Humanities from The Phi Beta Kappa Society, American Council of Learned Societies, and Council of Graduate Schools. 
• Take action now to save the NEH from our partners at the National Humanities Alliance and the State Federation of Humanities Councils
• Ask your Member of Congress to sign on to a “Dear Colleague” letter in support of the NEH being led by Rep. Dina Titus
• Read Phi Beta Kappa’s statement about the Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education
  
• Watch the American Council on Education’s webinar explaining what the Department of Education layoffs mean for colleges and universities
• Read Phi Beta Kappa’s statement about proposed cuts to scientific research funding
  • Explore how the proposed cuts to research funding might impact your community (Science Impacts)
• Use messaging from our colleague organizations to contact your Members of Congress:
  • • Save the Institute of Museum and Library Services (American Alliance of Museums)
    • Protect Endowment Resources for Educational Purposes and Student Financial Aid (American Council on Education)
    • Ask Your Member of Congress to Support Federal Arts Funding (Americans for the Arts Action Fund)
    • Ask Your Member of Congress to Support Humanities Policy Priorities (National Humanities Alliance)
    • Contact Your Member of Congress about Federal Science Cuts (The Science Coalition)
    • Urge Congress to Support Uninterrupted, Robust Federal Investment in Scientific Research (COSSA)
• Learn about the impact of the arts, humanities, and sciences in your state and district by using the following resources:
  • • National College Attainment Network State Economic Value of College Profiles
    • U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Arts & Cultural Production Satellite Account Data, U.S. and States, 2023
    • National Endowment for the Arts State Profiles
    • National Endowment for the Humanities State & Jurisdiction Impact
    • National Science Foundation by the Numbers
• Stay up to date on the arts and sciences in higher education by following Phi Beta Kappa on LinkedIn  and read our latest issue of our State of the Arts & Sciences newsletter. 

National Organizations

American Academy of Arts and Sciences 

American Association for the Advancement of Science

American Council of Learned Societies 

American Council on Education 

 Association of American Colleges & Universities

Association of American Universities

Council of Graduate Schools

Council of Independent Colleges

Consortium of Social Sciences Associations

National Alliance for the Humanities

National Humanities Center

Reports and Infographics

Myths and Realities About Humanities Majors
(Humanities Works)

Strategies for Recruiting Students to the Humanities: A Comprehensive Resource
(National Humanities Alliance)

What Are You Going to Do with That?
(National Humanities Alliance)

Doubling the Maximum Pell Grant
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Adminstrators)

The Real, Long-term Labor Market Outcomes of Liberal Arts Grads
(Strada Institute for the Future of Work and Emsi)

Federal Funding for Social and Behavioral Sciences
(Association of American Universities)

It Takes More than a Major
(Association of American Colleges & Universities)

Liberal Arts Degrees and Their Value in Employment
(Association of American Colleges & Universities and National Center for Higher Education Management Systems)

Science Matters
(Science Coalition)

 Arts + Social Impact Explorer
(Americans for the Arts)

District Advocacy Guide: Engaging Humanities Advocates on a Local Level
(National Humanities Alliance)

NEH Impact Index
(Graduate Center Digital Initiatives)