FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

NSF - 13883 - Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee	Agency Name	National Science Foundation
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	13883
Original Establishment Date	3/15/2003	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/aaac.jsp
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	13
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Deputy Division Director AST
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Dr.
Current Charter Date	3/15/2005	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	James
Date Of Renewal Charter	3/15/2007	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Neff
Exempt From Renewal*	Yes	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(703) 292-8820
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	703-292-9034
Specific Establishment Authority*	Sec. 23, P.L. 107-368	Designated Federal Officer Email*	jneff@nsf.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	3/15/2003
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	Advise the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Energy (DOE) on selected issues within the field of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the three agencies. Astronomy and astrophysics is understood to encompass observations and theoretical investigations of astronomical objects and phenomena, including the Sun and solar-system bodies. Provide assessment of and recommendations concerning: • The identification of gaps and duplications between the three agencies in areas such as research, analysis programs, missions, observatories, facilities and archives. • The development of the strategic plan for the three agencies for astronomy and astrophysics. • Areas which may benefit from coordinated formulation, solicitation of proposals for research and/or hardware development and financial support.
How is membership balanced?*	Members are selected to be representative of the scientific areas encompassed by astronomy and astrophysics. Every effort is made to achieve a diverse membership with representation including individuals from underrepresented groups and different geographic regions. By legislation NSF and NASA appoint 4 members each, the Department of Energy appoints 3 members, and the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) appoints 2 members.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	At least 4 meetings per year, as per charter - some by telecon.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	To provide analysis, recommendations, and viewpoints on issues of mutual interest to the three agencies. No other balanced forum exists.
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks	N/A

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	NA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	Yes	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	Interagency cooperation and coordination	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	NA	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	38	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	No
Number Of Recommendations Comment	This is the count of recommendations listed in the committee’s annual report for the current Fiscal Year. 196 recommendations received in total for the life of the committee. The recommendations are provided to the three agencies, NSF, NASA, and DOE. They are often very broad and multi-year in nature, so implementation seldom occurs across the three agencies within a single year. These recommendations are advisory only, but all receive a preliminary response following receipt of the annual report.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	73.00%	Access Committee Website	No
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	The three agencies respond to all recommendations, but it is up to the individual agencies whether and how to implement them. This number is an estimate of the cumulative total percentage of the formally-conveyed recommendations that have been acted this year.	Access GSA FACA Website	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.27%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	The three agencies respond to all recommendations, but it is up to the individual agencies whether and how to implement them. This number is an estimate of the cumulative total percentage of the formally-conveyed recommendations that have been acted upon over the life of the committee thus far.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Each agency provides a report on activities at each AAAC meeting.	Narrative Description*	Astronomy is undergoing a time of extraordinary scientific discovery and the exploration of some of the most exciting aspects of our universe: the nature of dark matter and dark energy in the Universe, the formation of galaxies at early times, the nature of massive black holes, the formation of stars and planetary systems, and the detection of planets like Earth around other stars. NASA, NSF, and DOE, together provide the opportunities for astronomical research that have allowed this nation to demonstrate its scientific and technological leadership. The framework that establishes this leadership comes from a series of decade-long plans issued every ten years from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee. The AAAC monitors and reports on the implementation of these Decadal Surveys, as well as other relevant NAS studies. The diverse approach to astronomical research offered by NASA, NSF and DOE is key to the scientific success and public visibility of astrophysics, and remains central to the future success of astronomy. Joint programs between NASA, NSF and DOE, implemented within a healthy scientific research budget, are also of great benefit to the nation’s astronomy and astrophysics research enterprise. Drawing on the different strengths of the agencies enables the nation to realize greatly enhanced value from its investment in astronomy. The NAS Committee on the Organization and Management of Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (COMRAA) recommended in 2002 the establishment of an advisory committee to deal with the increasingly important interfaces between the agencies involved in supporting astronomy and astrophysics. Support for this by the Executive Branch and Congress led to the establishment of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) to: 1) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the coordination of astronomy and astrophysics programs of NSF, NASA, and DOE; 2) assess, and make recommendations regarding, the status of the activities of NSF and NASA as they relate to the recommendations contained in the National Research Council’s 2001 Decadal report, and the recommendations contained in subsequent National Research Council reports of a similar nature; and 3) issue an annual report to Congress and the agencies no later than March 15.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/19/2025 11:02 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Applied Science Applied Sciences Basic Science Basic Sciences Data Data Quality Education Education Government Federal Government International International Organizations Research Basic Research Science and Technology Science and Technology Space Space and Aeronautics

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