Artistic representation of UAP disclosure bill
Artistic representation of UAP disclosure billTUO via OpenAI

THE UAP Disclosure Fund: What it Is, and What’s About to Happen

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Tori Jane, TUO Reporter

A powerful coalition of former defense officials is working behind the scenes to protect UAP whistleblowers ahead of Congress's September 9th hearing on transparency

On September 9th, 2025, there will be another hearing within the government to address critical issues surrounding UAPs, specifically the secrecy that has characterized this field and the stigma faced by whistleblowers. This follows previous congressional hearings that have brought UAP phenomena into the public spotlight through testimony from credible military witnesses. Entitled "Restoring the Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection," this significant meeting aims to demonstrate a commitment to substantially greater disclosure transparency and protections for whistleblowers who risk professional and social consequences when speaking out.

The UAP Whistleblower Protection Act was introduced on August 29th, 2025, sponsored by Representative Tim Burchett. According to the legislation, its purpose is "To provide whistleblower protections to Federal personnel for disclosing the use of Federal taxpayer funds to evaluate or research unidentified anomalous phenomenon material, and for other purposes." Chairwoman Anna Paulina Luna stated:

"The American people deserve maximum transparency from the federal government on sightings, acquisitions, and examinations of UAPs and whether they pose a potential threat to Americans' safety. Whistleblowers who provide details on spending information and policies and procedures regarding the classification and declassification of UAPs should be able to do so without retribution. I look forward to hearing from witnesses on how the federal government can improve transparency and provide better answers on UAPs."

Among the primary objectives for this hearing is advancing efforts to protect individuals who come forward regarding UAPs – particularly from career-related consequences. Witnesses scheduled to testify include U.S. Air Force veteran Jeffrey Nuccetelli, UAP witness Chief Alexandro Wiggins, U.S. Air Force veteran and UAP witness Dylan Borland, and journalist George Knapp.

This hearing is open to both the public and media and will be livestreamed for anyone who wishes to observe.

The UAP Disclosure Fund

Any discussion of the upcoming hearing must include a major player in its planning: the UAP Disclosure Fund (commonly referred to as the UAPDF). This relatively new organization comprises experts with impressive and legitimate credentials, focusing precisely on the issues central to the September 9th meeting. According to its official website:

"Our team consists of dedicated experts with diverse backgrounds in government, business, research, political strategy, and advocacy. Together, we work tirelessly to drive transparency and foster meaningful change on UAP issues."

The UAPDF board includes several recognizable figures: the Chairman of the Board is Christopher Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and former Staff Director for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Other notable members include Lester Nare, founder of the UAP Caucus, Dr. Anna Brady-Estevez of the U.S. National Science Foundation, theoretical and applied physicist Dr. Eric Davis, and retired Rear Admiral and Oceanographer Timothy Gallaudet of the U.S. Navy, among others.

These individuals represent serious, seasoned professionals in their respective fields rather than those with conspiratorial backgrounds. They are taking substantial professional risks by speaking out and seek to change this dynamic. Those interested in current developments should follow the official Twitter account for the UAPDF.

The UAPDF represents a significant development in the UAP disclosure movement. In July 2025, it officially announced a partnership with two other major organizations in the UAP field: the Disclosure Advocacy Group and the UAP Caucus. This coalition aims to "engage on a united front with the public, academia, Federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector to foster transparency, shape policy, and champion scientific inquiry with respect to UAP," according to its website.

In July 2025, the UAPDF addressed the core challenge facing potential whistleblowers. The organization stated that "Many individuals with knowledge of classified UAP-related programs have hesitated to step forward. A common belief is that sharing this information with Congress, even in a secure and private setting, could result in criminal or civil liability... Giving Congress the facts is lawful—and essential to democratic oversight—though whistleblowers must navigate real career risks." On August 27th, 2025, the organization published a comprehensive progress report detailing its role in supporting the upcoming hearing.

The UAPDF publicly announced this progress report, outlining their extensive efforts to support congressional UAP oversight and provide critical information to lawmakers ahead of the September 9th hearing:

Twitter Post: UAPDF announces their comprehensive progress report supporting Congress ahead of the September 9th UAP hearing

Eventually, this sustained effort would ripple into a wave and evolve into what we're seeing on September 9th: a coordinated initiative by numerous U.S. government officials and highly credible witnesses to increase transparency and address the career-based concerns that have historically discouraged individuals from speaking about these phenomena. They collectively hope to encourage those with relevant knowledge to come forward without fear of professional retaliation.

The developments surrounding this hearing represent a significant evolution in UAP disclosure efforts, and we look forward to seeing how this story evolves.