The SfN Advocacy Network Newsletter gives members an overview of political developments affecting the science community, as well as upcoming advocacy opportunities.

In this issue:

• In the Spotlight: Support Scientists in Milan Affected by Animal Rights Extremism, Sequestration and the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget, NIH Director Solicits Examples of Sequestration Impact, Representative Yarmuth (D-KY) Tours Neuroscience Lab.
• On Capitol Hill: House Science Committee Chair Challenges NSF Peer Review Process, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on FY 2014 NIH Budget, Testimony on NIH and NSF Budgets Submitted, Bipartisan Support for NIH in both the House and Senate.
• The Policy Mix: FY 2014 Appropriations Process
• We Want Your Feedback

Support Scientists in Milan Affected by Animal Rights Extremism
On April 20, a group of animal rights extremists invaded laboratories at the University of Milan, illegally removing about 100 animals, and destroyed numerous highly valuable research projects. The Basel Declaration Society is organizing a call for solidarity with scientists in Milan affected by animal rights extremism. To add your name in support, visit basel-declaration.org.

Sequestration and the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
Billions of dollars have been slashed from the NIH and NSF budgets as a result of sequestration – across the board cuts applied to virtually all federal agencies. NIH recently released information detailing the sequestration budget cuts by institute, as well as a table laying out the amount allocated by mechanism (research projects, research centers, training, etc.). More information is available in the Guide Notice NOT-OD-13-064. As it becomes available, SfN will post updated information on SfN.org.

NIH Director Solicits Examples of Sequestration Impact
NIH Director Francis Collins asked the research community to tell him how sequestration is affecting biomedical research by using #NIHSequesterImpact. Many spoke up about the effect on young researchers, research projects, career trajectories, and grants. You can follow the conversation or add your own voice.

Representative Yarmuth (D-KY) Tours Neuroscience Lab
William Guido hosted Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) on May 10 for a tour of the University of Louisville. Rep. Yarmuth spoke with more than 30 people from two labs, including graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and researchers about the threat that reduced NIH funding poses to scientists. Yarmuth expressed support for biomedical research and the need for increased research funding. If you would like to set up a lab tour with your member of Congress, email advocacy@sfn.org or check out SfN.org to learn more.

On Capitol Hill

House Science Committee Chair Challenges NSF Peer Review Process
On April 25, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, requested copies of confidential scientific reviews for five NSF-funded grants expressing concern about “how closely they adhere to NSF's 'intellectual merit' guideline.” Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) defended NSF in her response, stating Smith’s request sets a dangerous precedent of Congress second-guessing peer review. On May 15, NSF denied Smith’s request and defended the need to preserve the confidentiality of its selection process, but offered to brief the committee on how NSF selects grants to fund.  

Smith also released draft legislation to require the NSF director certify that every funded project is 1) in the interests of the United States to advance the national health, prosperity, or welfare, or to secure the national defense; 2) the finest quality, groundbreaking, and answers questions or solves problems that are of utmost importance to society at large; and 3) not duplicative of other research projects being funded by the foundation or other federal science agencies. Consideration of the bill, originally scheduled for early May, has been postponed. SfN signed on to a letter organized by The Coalition for National Science Funding expressing concern over the legislation.

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on FY2014 NIH Budget
On May 15, NIH Director Francis Collins and several NIH institute directors testified before the Senate Subcommittee with jurisdiction over NIH’s 2014 Budget. Senators on both sides of the aisle enthusiastically praised NIH for its lifesaving research and expressed concern over funding reductions and the effect on young researchers. In his opening remarks, Collins highlighted a number of NIH initiatives and called the BRAIN Initiative, “Our boldest new scientific endeavor – one that we are all very excited about.” Other institute directors emphasized the need to invest across scientific disciplines, with National Institute on Aging Director Richard Hodes noting, “The most responsible way [to conduct science] is to invest across the spectrum because we don’t know where the next big discovery will come from.” National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke Director Story C. Landis supported this idea by explaining basic research that may aid in fighting one disease or condition today could be adapted for other uses in the future.

Testimony on NIH and NSF Budgets Submitted
SfN President Larry Swanson submitted testimony in support of increased NIH funding to the House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittees, as well as testimony in support of increased NSF funding to the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittees. The Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating money in the federal budget to government agencies and will decide the final dollar amount for the NSF and NIH budgets. Find past testimony in support of NIH and NSF at SfN.org.

Bipartisan Support for NIH in both the House and Senate
Two “Dear Colleague” letters in support of a strong commitment to NIH for FY2014 were recently circulated in the House and the Senate. Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA) and David McKinley (R-WV) were joined by 166 representatives on their letter, and Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) were joined by 50 senators on their letter. Don’t forget to use social media to thank your representatives and senators if they signed the letter.

The Policy Mix

FY 2014 Appropriations Process
Please continue to write your U.S. legislators and ask them to reverse sequestration and increase the budgets of NIH and NSF. Last month, President Obama released his FY2014 budget request, which included increases for NIH and NSF. In order for increased funding for NIH and NSF to take effect, however, both chambers of Congress must act. It is important that scientists continue to communicate to their legislators about the importance of investment in NIH and NSF — it only takes two minutes.

We Want Your Feedback
We are interested in how you use this newsletter each month. Do you find it informative? Do you forward it to colleagues or share the alerts? Tell us what you think by emailing advocacy@sfn.org.

The SfN Advocacy Network Newsletter gives members an overview of political developments affecting the science community, as well as upcoming advocacy opportunities.

In this issue:

• In the Spotlight: Urge Your Senators to Sign the Casey-Burr Letter, Thank Your Legislator for Supporting NIH Funding, President Obama Releases Budget for Fiscal Year 2014, Fiscal Year 2014 U.S. Congressional Budgets, Sequestration and the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget, There is Still Time to Take Action
• On Capitol Hill: Capitol Hill Day 2013, Labor-HHS Hearing
• The Policy Mix:  NSF: Accelerating Integrative Research in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science,  University Must Disclose Locations of Animal Research Labs, Chicago Lab Tour a Success, NSF Asks for Help Identifying Administrative Burdens

In the Spotlight

Help Reverse Sequestration Cuts to NIH – Urge Your Senators to Sign the Casey-Burr Letter
Ask Congress to reverse deep cuts to NIH and reaffirm the United States’ national commitment to investment in biomedical research. Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) are circulating a bipartisan letter urging Senate appropriators to maintain a strong commitment for NIH in FY2014. NIH is currently funded at $30.7 billion, but is slated to be cut by $1.55 billion as a result of across-the-board cuts, known as sequestration.

Contact your U.S. Senators TODAY and ask them to sign on to the Casey-Burr letter and make the case for a strong research funding level for NIH in FY2014.

Thank Your Legislator for Supporting NIH Funding
One hundred and fifty-nine legislators have added their names to the letter from Congressmen Markey (D-MA) and McKinley (R-WV) to congressional appropriators in support of increased funding for the NIH in FY2014. Is your representative one of them? Check the list and then use social media to thank them for their support.

President Obama Releases Budget for Fiscal Year 2014
President Obama submitted a budget request Wednesday that includes $31.3 billion for NIH (an increase of $471 million) and $7.6 billion for NSF (an increase of $593 million). The documents supporting the budget emphasized neuroscience research through funding for the BRAIN Initiative along with highlighting connectome, optogenetics, single-cell biology, and epigenomics research. While this is a promising first step in the FY2014 budget process, the across-the-board cuts known as sequestration still threaten to undermine any increases in funding that Congress may enact.

Fiscal Year 2014 U.S. Congressional Budgets
Although President Obama’s budget is encouraging, Congressional action is still required to establish funding for NIH and NSF. This process was initiated when House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced the House budget on March 12. It passed the House, but was rejected in the Senate the next day. The Senate passed its budget a few days later. The House budget is virtually identical to last year’s GOP budget and effectively shifts all sequestration cuts onto non-defense discretionary programs (such as NIH and NSF) for FY2014 onward. In the Senate Budget Resolution, the cuts from sequestration are evenly split between defense and non-defense programs.

Although neither budget sets specific funding levels for NIH and NSF budgets, the Congressional budget sets the levels available for government funding. The deep cuts in the House budget would make it nearly impossible to provide adequate funding for scientific research. The Senate budget, while less astringent, would also make substantial increases in scientific funding unlikely in FY2014. Scientists must continue to communicate the value of federal investment in scientific research as the budget process continues in order to secure the highest possible budget for NIH and NSF.

Sequestration and the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget
The FY 2013 budget continues to feel the effects of sequestration. On March 26, President Obama signed the continuing resolution into law to fund the remainder of FY2013 and end the possibility of a federal government shutdown. The bill locks in in the $85 billion across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. This cuts the budget of NIH and NSF by 5.1 percent. SfN members still need to take action to oppose these cuts and encourage Congress to increase federal funding for scientific research.

There is Still Time to Take Action
The fight to increase funding for biomedical research continues with the FY2014 budget process. You don’t have to be in to D.C. to make a difference—SfN makes it easy to set up in-district meetings or invite a legislator to tour your lab during congressional recesses. For more information, contact advocacy@sfn.org.

On Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill Day 2013
SfN’s 7th annual Capitol Hill Day was a great success. More than 30 SfN members met with over 60 congressional offices. Many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle expressed support for biomedical research and their interest in lab tours and the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus. SfN members may not be able to overturn sequestration on their own, but they can certainly increase the visibility of neuroscience research among policymakers and effectively communicate the need for investment in research!

Labor-HHS Hearing
On March 5, Francis Collins joined other Health and Human Services directors to testify in a hearing for the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies. Collins testified about the negative effect sequestration and budget cuts, including the 20 percent reduction in purchasing power the agencies during the last decade, would have on science and scientists funded by NIH, with a focus on young scientists in particular.

The Policy Mix

NSF: Accelerating Integrative Research in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science
On March 4, NSF announced a new program in neuroscience. NSF is seeking proposals for a new neuroscience program with the potential to transform neuroscience and cognitive science. Proposals should “accelerate new integrative research across disciplines and across spatial and temporal scales of analysis in cognitive science and neuroscience.” More details available here.

University Must Disclose Locations of Animal Research Labs
A recent court case involving the University of Florida ruled that the university must disclose the locations of its animal research laboratories, as these are a matter of public record. The Gainesville Sun reported that university employees were the target of threats after the animal activist group Negotiation Is Over posted their home addresses on the Web. A University of Florida spokesperson said that "UF was disappointed in the ruling but would remain vigilant in protecting its researchers."

Chicago Lab Tour a Success
Following a meeting with neuroscientists during SfN’s Capitol Hill Day in March, two staff members from Illinois Senator Richard Durbin’s office visited the neuroscience program at University of Chicago on March 28. They were given a tour of two labs and spoke with graduate students, postdoctoral candidates, and junior faculty about the threat that reduced NIH funding poses to early-career scientists. Although Durbin is already a strong supporter of biomedical research, the visit reinforced concerns about steep budget cuts and the need for increased funding for biomedical research. If you would like to set up a lab tour with your member of Congress, email advocacy@sfn.org.

NSF Asks for Help Identifying Administrative Burdens
NSF has issued a "Request for Information" about the administrative burdens scientists face in federally funded research facilities. Questions focus on the institutional review board (IRBs) and institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) requirements, proposal preparation, and additional regulations involved in dealing with multiple agencies. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) created an online survey to obtain feedback from the research community on the administrative burden. The results from this survey will inform FASEB’s response to the National Science Board’s request for information (RFI) on this topic. Responses are accepted directly to the RFI through May 24 at administrative-reform@nsf.gov.

The SfN Advocacy Network Newsletter gives members an overview of political developments affecting the science community, as well as upcoming advocacy opportunities.

In this issue:

• In the Spotlight: Deadline Looming for Speaking Out Against Sequestration Cuts, 2013 SfN Capitol Hill Day and Time to Take Action, SfN and its Members Opposing New Restrictions on Animal Transport, New Poll Finds Public Support for Research, AMP Public Outreach Fellowship Now Accepting Applications, Survey on Possible Changes to the Animal Welfare Act
• On Capitol Hill: President Emphasizes Science in State of the Union Address, President's Press Conference
• The Policy Mix: Sign on Letters, NIH Seeks Public Comment on Research Chimpanzee Decisions, Increasing Opportunities for Maximizing the Translation of Effective Therapies

In the Spotlight

Deadline Looming for Speaking Out Against Sequestration Cuts

On March 1, the NIH and NSF annual budgets will be reduced by 5 percent, unless Congress takes action. Five percent means the NIH budget will be cut by $1.6 billion and NSF will issue nearly 1,000 fewer research grants.

On Thursday, February 7, SfN joined Research!America in a Day of Action to oppose the cuts. SfN members sent thousands of messages to the President and Congress asking them to prevent these devastating cuts. Add your voice and send a letter today!

Mark Your Calendars: 2013 SfN Capitol Hill Day and Time to Take Action

No matter what happens with sequestration, the fight to increase funding for biomedical research continues with the FY2014 budget process. This process will begin with the release of the President's budget in March, which will coincide with both the expiration of the continuing resolution funding the federal government and SfN's seventh annual Capitol Hill Day on March 20. You don't have to come to DC to make a difference — SfN makes it easy to set up meetings in your district or to invite a legislator to tour your lab during the congressional recess March 22 - April 5. For information, contact advocacy@sfn.org.

In concert with Capitol Hill Day, SfN is encouraging all its members to take action during the week of March 18. Contact Congress during this week through social media, phone calls, and letters. SfN members provide invaluable first-hand accounts of federal funding effects new medical treatments, jobs, and the economy. Look for more information on how to get involved in coming weeks.

SfN and its Members Opposing New Restrictions on Animal Transport

The FY2014 budget process usually kicks off in the first week of February with the release of the President's budget. However, due to the uncertainties raised by fiscal cliff negotiations, the release of the President's budget is likely to be delayed by several weeks. Its release at the end of February or early March will coincide with the new deadline to address sequestration, the expiration of the continuing resolution currently funding the federal government, and SfN's Capitol Hill Day on March 20.

• Add your voice: join the more than 700 SfN members who sent letters to the CEO of United Continental and more than 250 letters sent to the CEO of Air Canada by contacting the airlines and urging them to reconsider their position using SfN's Action Center.
• A new oped by SfN President Larry Swanson and chair of SfN Committee on Animals in Research Mickey Goldberg opposes this change and extols the benefits of research involving animals.
• SfN joined 150 organizations in a sign-on letter organized by the National Association for Biomedical Research. The letter was sent to CEOs of airlines currently being targeted by activists and urged them to continue transporting animals for research purposes.

New Poll Finds Public Support for Research

Research!America released a new report showing strong public support for health improvement-related research. The poll shows that 85 percent of Americans are concerned about stagnant funding for medical research, 70 percent of Americans feel the government should encourage careers in STEM fields, and 54 percent of Americans would pay $1 per week more in taxes if the money was spent on medical research. The results underscore the need to educate public officials about the importance of medical research funding.

Americans Medical Progress Public Outreach Fellowship Now Accepting Applications

The SfN coalition partner Americans for Medical Progress is accepting applications for the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach to help foster innovative outreach programs that engage the next generation of research advocates on the responsible use of animals in research. Past fellows include SfN members Elizabeth Burnett and Scott Dobrin, who used their award to launch Speaking Honestly – Animal Research Education. Applications are due April 12.

Survey on Possible Changes to the Animal Welfare Act

At the end of the last Congress, the House introduced a bill (H.R. 6693) that would have regulated rats, mice, and birds under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). SfN's coalition partner, the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) prepared a confidential survey to assess the impact of this potential change and to estimate the overall cost of compliance. Take the time to complete this survey. Download the survey and return to info@nabr.org.

On Capitol Hill

President Emphasizes Science in State of the Union Address

On February 12, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress in his annual State of the Union Address. During the hour-long speech, Obama spoke out against the indiscriminate, across the board "sequestration" cuts scheduled to take place on March 1. He also mentioned brain mapping procedures used to research Alzheimer's disease and highlighted the great investment that money spent on fundamental research can be, stating "every dollar we invested to map the human genome returned $140 to our economy."

President Obama announced, "Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation. Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the Space Race. We need to make those investments." It is important SfN members remain a strong unified voice on behalf of biomedical research funding through SfN's action alerts, letter writing campaigns and other activities. See a video and full transcript of the speech.

President's Press Conference

The President held a press conference on February 5 about the impending cuts known as sequestration. He explained that the looming deadlines will have "real and lasting" impacts on the economic recovery of the country. He argued that while it is important to cut wasteful spending, we cannot cut our way to prosperity. He highlighted that sequestration cuts will cost jobs and slow the recovering economy.

The Policy Mix

Sign-on Letters

SfN joined the Ad Hoc Group for Biomedical research and 270 other signatories on a sign-on letter to express concern about the impact of continued cuts to NIH. The letter was sent to all members of Congress on February 11.

The Nondefense Discretionary (NDD) United community also delivered a letter on February 11 to Congress which urged leaders to avert sequestration. Joining together in this effort were nearly 3,200 national, state, and local organizations from all fifty states representing the health, education, law enforcement, science, housing, workforce, transportation, and faith communities, among others.

NIH Seeks Public Comment on Research Chimpanzee Decisions

NIH issued a request for public input on the 28 recommendations found in the report of the Council of Councils Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research. All comments should be submitted by March 23.

Why Do Many Therapeutics Show Promise in Preclinical Animal Models but then Fail to Elicit Predicted Effects When Tested in Humans?

The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders released a summary of a workshop held March 28-29, 2012, to discuss potential opportunities for maximizing the translation of new therapies from animal models to clinical practice. The primary focus of the workshop was to examine mechanisms for increasing opportunities for maximizing the translation of effective therapies from animal models to clinical practice though discussions about how and when to use animal models.