Members of Congress request updated cooperative agreement for the Arecibo Observatory

Washington, D.C. – Puerto Rico’s sole representative in Congress, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, led a bipartisan and bicameral letter to the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director, the Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan, requesting the agency to update the recently released 5-year cooperative agreement to manage the Arecibo Observatory (AO) to include management and operations of the scientific instruments currently at this site. 

The letter is signed by Representatives Michael Waltz (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL).

Last month, the NSF published a new program solicitation (NSF 23-505) for a cooperative agreement for management of the AO over the next 5 years. The cooperative agreement calls for the realignment of the facility as a STEM education and research center and excludes management and operations of other scientific instruments and assets, like the 12-meter antenna and the LIDAR facility, currently available at this site. 

Members are requesting an updated proposal that includes management and operations of these scientific instruments; and requires a written response to questions that would clarify NSF’s collaboration with other agencies while developing the terms for the agreement, how they prioritized national security, among other issues. 

“The Arecibo Observatory has been a leading facility in scientific research for close to 60 years. It has supported generations of scientists who have pursued STEM careers and have made significant contributions to their fields.  The proposal for the upcoming cooperative agreement would leave this facility remarkably underutilized and, as it stands, would limit consideration for reconstruction of technology that could replace the 305-meter legacy radio telescope. The U.S. must remain a leader in research and technology, and safeguarding our assets, like the instruments that are on-site and potentially more, are a key component to retaining our role compared to other countries, like China”, shared said Congresswoman González-Colón. 

“In order for the United States to remain competitive globally, it is imperative we continue investing in STEM education and research,” said Rep. Waltz. “The Arecibo Observatory has long been integral to U.S. research and national security. As China and other adversaries seek to surpass U.S. research capabilities, the National Science Foundation and relevant Federal agencies must maintain and utilize the Arecibo Observatory. We cannot cede any ground to China and the capabilities at Arecibo Observatory are key to maintaining our competitive edge”, shared stated Congressman Michael Waltz.

Per the letter, “the AO has hosted programs for STEM education and research for decades. One of the fundamental necessities of the training and education programs offered at the AO is the ability to work alongside scientists who are on-site, get hands-on experience operating the instruments at the facility, and directly analyze new scientific data. Without active, multidisciplinary, world-class research present, there is no platform for truly robust STEM education at the AO.”

Congress provided emergency funding through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) to address damages at the AO in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, including for repairs to the 12-meter radio telescope and the LIDAR facility. Additionally, Section 10365 of Public Law 117-167, (CHIPS Act of 2022), recognizes the contributions made by the former 305-meter radio telescope at the AO after close to six decades in operations. Language in this section indicates that Congress “encourages the National Science Foundation, in consultation with other Federal agencies, to explore opportunities for strengthening and expanding the role of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico through education, outreach and diversity programs, and future research capabilities and technology at the site.” The further expresses that education and research cannot be fully supported without fostering active science. Furthermore, $5 million, or roughly $1 million per year, is extremely limited funding that would undoubtedly impact the quality of work at the AO moving forward.


Click here for the full text of the letter. 

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