A new Air Force instruction (pdf) describes the use of unvouchered “intelligence contingency funds” which may be spent by the Secretary of the Air Force “for any purpose” in support of the Air Force intelligence mission.
Such funds may be expended, for example, to pay for “plaques, mementos, etc.” to be presented “as gifts or incentive awards to foreign officials.” Contingency funds may also be used “to fund liaison functions with persons not employed by the US Government if they can assist US Air Force organizations to perform intelligence missions.” However, “The liaison function must be conducted on a modest basis that complies with socially acceptable behavior.”
See “Intelligence Contingency Funds,” Air Force Instruction 14-101, 30 April 2009.
X-Labs seek to expand on what FROs have shown is possible: the generation of foundational infrastructure for entire new fields of research science.
This is a tremendous opportunity to redefine what people expect from government, and in doing so, inspire cities across the country to raise their own ambitions. We are excited to see this initiative lead the way and look forward to cheering your success.
Despite significant political momentum behind reform efforts, limited attention has been paid to the federal workforce that will actually be responsible for interpreting and implementing new permitting regulations and better outcomes.
Nearly 150 organizations and government officials have endorsed the call to action and solutions for extreme heat, now public at HeatAgenda.US Washington, D.C. – July 7, 2026 – As millions of Americans continue to struggle to stay cool following one of the hottest Independence Day holidays on record, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), one […]