UCS Generations of Science

Scientific integrity is the principle that scientific research and evidence should guide public policy without being censored, manipulated or distorted by political or corporate interests. Scientific integrity protects important checks and balances and is essential to our democracy, as it allows people to examine evidence behind policy decisions.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, there have been more than 570 attacks on science. Approximately 33% of those attacks — including political interference in scientific studies, censorship of federal scientists, disbanding advisory committees of experts, and restricting the use of key public health data — are potential scientific integrity violations that could be prevented or remedied with a strong federal Scientific Integrity law—which currently does not exist in the US.  

The bipartisan Scientific Integrity Act would put into law protections against censorship, manipulation, and politically motivated findings in federal science. It would also require federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee scientific research to adopt, enforce, and maintain strong scientific integrity policies.

If you want to go deeper into understanding the Scientific Integrity Act:

• Explore the Union of Concerned Scientists Attacks on Science Tracker 
• Read about recent progress of the Scientific Integrity Act in Congress
• Read the Union of Concerned Scientists Policy Brief on the Scientific Integrity Act 
• Read the text of the Scientific Integrity Act 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is activating Generations of Science in communities across the US, in support of scientific integrity. When you join forces with people in your family, neighborhood, workplace, or community, you build your Generations of Science team. Reach out across generations to work together in support of science this summer!

• Elders and grandkids
• Teens and parents
• Younger colleagues at work with seasoned team members
• Older neighbors with younger families
• Folks in your interest, civic, or faith groups who are ready to support and defend science

Together you’ll collect registered voters’ signatures in support of the Scientific Integrity Act, and connect with your Member of Congress to deliver your support!

It’s super easy to be a part of these efforts in July and August 2026!

1. Build your Generations of Science team
   • Reach out to your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to gather a group of 2-5 people who will work together. Bonus points if you have 2 or more generations represented!
   • Use the information above to explain what you’ll be doing together.
2. Print out your signature sheets
   • Each team member should commit to gathering at least 10 signatures (one sheet), and we encourage you to aim for 30 signatures each (three sheets).
   • Talk with people in your community and gather signatures in support of the bipartisan Scientific Integrity Act. There’s information about the effort on the signature sheets, but you also can learn more about the Scientific Integrity Act here.
3. Find your congressional representatives’ offices in your district and/or research town hall events during the 2026 August Congressional Recess, and set a delivery date
   • You can find your legislator and their in-district office address closest to you at  GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress.
   • With your team, determine who you will deliver signature sheets to, and when. Put a date on your calendars!
4. Gather signatures of registered voters in your community. Get creative with where you offer people the opportunity to help defend scientific integrity
   • Ideas for where to collect signatures:
     • At your book group or morning coffee meetup
     • In line at camp dropoffs or pickups
     • Backyard barbecues and potlucks
     • Local street fairs and block parties
     • At your volunteer activities or at the dog park
   • Generations can challenge each other in friendly competition to gather the most signatures.
   • Take photos of your team & collecting signatures (but don’t take photos of people’s signatures) and post to your social media with the hashtag #UCSgenerationsofscience, or send to your friends via email. Bonus points for social posts, we love to see that hashtag!
5. Keep learning about how to build community and take action in support of science
   • We hope you will join UCS’s Science Rising efforts to defend science from authoritarian attacks.
   • You can join our Science Rising Action Corps to make sure you receive info on opportunities for information and training sessions and chances to participate in additional actions with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Watch your inbox for emails from UCS!
6. Now, deliver those signature sheets!
   • Don’t miss the date you chose to take them to congressional offices in your district or hand them to your member of Congress’s team at a town hall event during the month of August. See if you can get multiple Generations of Science to go along on your delivery date.
   • And before you do, tally up how many signatures you’re delivering and share that information with the Union of Concerned Scientists via this form. We’re trying to gather Generations of Science signatures across all 50 states, so please help us keep count (and submit your bonus points to receive a UCS t-shirt)!
7. Don’t forget to give yourself credit for taking action
   • It feels great to be an active participant in the legislative process, especially in support of something as important as this bipartisan Scientific Integrity Act.
   • You built connections within your community, strengthened relationships across generations, reached out directly to your elected representatives, and learned more about how to defend science during this moment where it’s under attack every day. Nice job. And thank you. We hope you’ll be back to take more actions with the Union of Concerned Scientists!

P.S. If you’re not able to be part of UCS’s Generations of Science efforts this August, you can still take action! Tell your senators to support and advance the Scientific Integrity Act.