2026 Capitol Hill Visit Day
December 2–5, 2026 · Crystal City, VA
Why Space Research Matters
Humanity is returning to the Moon, with plans for a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. As NASA works toward establishing a Moon Base, gravitational and space research will be essential to understanding how living organisms and physical systems respond to the lunar environment.
Research is needed to answer fundamental questions, including how plants grow in partial gravity, how bones, muscles, and immune systems adapt to space, and how fluids, flames, and materials behave on the lunar surface. The National Academies’ Decadal Survey provides a roadmap for advancing this research.
Why Advocacy Matters
Congress needs to hear directly from the scientists, engineers, and students conducting this research. Strong, sustained funding for NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) Division is essential to advancing the science needed for a sustained human presence on the Moon, as well as research that benefits life on Earth.
Join ASGSR for Advocacy Day
ASGSR invites all members and affiliates to participate in Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, December 1, ahead of the 42nd Annual ASGSR Meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with congressional offices and advocate for continued support of NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences research.
Students, early-career researchers, senior scientists, and industry partners are all encouraged to participate. No previous advocacy experience is necessary.
Preparing for Advocacy Day
ASGSR Leadership and the External Affairs Committee will help participants prepare for their congressional visits. A Congressional Ops 101 webinar, planned for mid-November, will provide an overview of science advocacy, what to expect during congressional office visits, and how to effectively communicate the importance of sustained funding for space research.
The webinar will cover the importance of individual advocacy, how congressional meetings work, and how participants can make a compelling case for continued support of NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences research. No prior advocacy experience is necessary.
How to Participate
Participation in Advocacy Day involves two steps:
- Identify Your Congressional Representatives
Use the GovTrack Elected Officials Tool to identify your congressional representatives. Search using both your home address and your workplace or school address. Once you have identified your representatives, ASGSR will provide an email template you can use to request meetings with their congressional offices. - Register for Advocacy Day
Complete the Advocacy Day Registration Form to let us know you plan to participate.