Advocacy Network Newsletter

Mark Your Calendars for Neuroscience 2022 Advocacy Events

Neuroscience 2022 in San Diego is quickly approaching, and there is an exciting lineup of advocacy events to attend!

• Visit the ECPA poster session, where past and current ECPAs will be presenting on their policy and advocacy work, onSaturday, November 12 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. PST in the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) Poster Hall.

• The Animals in Research Panel will be held onMonday, November 14 from 1:30–3:30 p.m. PST in the SDCC Room 11. Panelists will discuss the benefits and limitations of alternatives to animals in research and why neuroscience still needs animal models.

• Attend the Advocacy Forum onTuesday, November 15 from 2–3:30 p.m. PST, also in the SDCC Room 11, where panelists will explain how to successfully leverage the use of data and emotion to influence the decision-making process and have productive and impactful advocacy discussions. Please email the SfN Advocacy Team with any questions.

ECPA Program Applications Open November 29

Applications for SfN's Early Career Policy Ambassadors (ECPA) Program open Tuesday, November 29. This 10-month program for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students, as well as recent PhD/MD recipients, allows early career scientists to enhance their advocacy skills with the neuroscience community, policymakers, and the public. Ambassadors gain the necessary skills to advocate for science and to encourage those in their personal networks to join the conversation. Applications are open until Friday, January 6.

Wealth Inequality in Distribution of NIH Funding to Rural States

Read the latest Neuronline article from Dr. David Beversdorf and Dr. Laura Martin, “Wealth Inequality in Distribution of NIH Funding to Rural States.” The two examined the increasing wealth inequality over the years in the United States, with respect to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and specifically amongst smaller institutions in rural states. Dr. Beversdorf and Dr. Martin call for further exploration and consideration of distributing increases in NIH funding to a broader spectrum of the scientific community.

Urge Congress to Support Neuroscience in FY2023 and Avoid Long-Term Continuing Resolutions

The federal government is still operating under a short-term continuing resolution (CR) through December 16. SfN is calling on Congress to pass federal funding legislation in a timely manner and not resort to long-term CRs that stagnate federal funding for research. Send your Representative and Senators a message and personalize it by including why robust and timely federal funding is critical to your research and necessary to advance our understanding of the brain.

OSTP Director Shares Goals for U.S. Science and Technology

Newly confirmed OSTP Director Dr. Arati Prabhakar outlined her goals for U.S. Science and Technology in a talk to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Prabhakar emphasized the importance of basic science and expressed a commitment to putting the resources into continuing and building on the investment. She also spoke about building a “what-does-it-take” mindset that would require the research ecosystem to mobilize around bold goals, stating ARPA-H as an example of this.

Watch a Congressional Briefing on BRAIN Initiative Funding

The American Brain Coalition and the American Academy of Neurology, in cooperation with the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, hosted a virtual congressional briefing on the importance of BRAIN Initiative funding. The briefing featured BRAIN Initiative Director, Dr. John Ngai, who spoke about the accomplishments of the program since its funding began in FY2014 and what to expect for the future of the BRAIN Initiative.

Listen to the Latest Episode of GetReal!

In the newest episode of the GetReal! Podcast, host Dr. Cindy Buckmaster is joined by Tom Leach, an attorney and leader in research advocacy, to discuss the idea of weaponized transparency. The two explain how people can start fighting passionately for a cause that is actually an illusion created by others to exploit them for their own personal gain, such as people’s natural love of animals.

Apply Now for BRAIN Awareness Week Grants

The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), on behalf of the Dana Foundation, offers financial support of up to €1,000 to event organizers within Europe during Brain Awareness Week (BAW) from March 13–19, 2023. BAW is an opportunity to let people know about the progress that is being made in brain research as well as progress in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the brain. Apply by Wednesday, November 16.

SfN Advocacy Resources

• Introduce yourself to the new Congress via the Advocacy Action Center.
• Watch the Neuroscientist’s Guide to Advocacy series to understand the tools you need to help advance the field.
• Learn how to engage your members of Congress and effectively advocate for science with SfN's Advocacy Best Practices.
• Get involved in global advocacy.
• Talk to the public about the importance of animal research.
• Reach out to advocacy@sfn.org for assistance in preparing for your next advocacy effort at home or on Capitol Hill.

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