April 2026
SPOTLIGHT
Congressional Briefing Highlights Impacts of Federal Investment in Science
SfN co-sponsored a Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (CNC) briefing, "The NIH BRAIN Initiative: Securing America’s Neurotechnology Future." Following welcome remarks from SfN President Nick Spizter, PhD, experts outlined how sustained support for brain research ensures that scientific breakthroughs, economic growth, and patient benefits remain rooted in the United States. When it's finalized, a summary and recording will be available.
From left to right, Dr. William Martin, SfN; Dr. Katalin Tóth, SfN; Dr. Laura Colgin, SfN; Dr. John Morrison, SfN; Dr. Nick Spitzer, SfN; Rep. Morgan Luttrell, CNC Co-chair; Dr. Kevin Marvel, SfN Executive Director at the CNC briefing.
Federal Appropriations Process Continues
The House Appropriations Committee held its full markup of the FY27 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Bill, where it passed unanimously. The bill will now go to the floor of the House for a final vote. The bill provides $900 million to the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program, a $45 million decrease from the FY26 enacted level. The bill also includes nearly identical language (Sec. 246) restricting the use of canines, felines, and non-human primates (NHPs) in VA-funded research without a waiver from the Secretary.
The House Appropriations Committee released its FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bill, providing $7 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), a $1.75 billion (20%) decrease from the FY26 enacted level and $3 billion above the FY27 President's Budget Request. The CJS Subcommittee voted along party lines to approve the bill and send it to the full Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Dismissal of the National Science Board
The entire National Science Board, the policy-making body for NSF, was fired on April 24, adding to the instability at NSF, which has been without a confirmed director since April 2025. Several of SfN’s coalition partners, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, have released statements in response.
SfN ADVOCACY
SfN and Coalition Partners Continue Robust Advocacy Response
Check out the Advocacy Response Center for the latest from SfN and partners, including SfN’s response to NIH's Request for Information on reducing reliance on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
Urge Congress to Protect the Import of Animals for Research
Join fellow NeuroAdvocates and the National Association for Biomedical Research in calling for Congress to protect the import of NHPs for biomedical research. The PRIMATE Act would restrict NHP imports, disrupting preclinical testing pipelines and delaying the development of vaccines, therapies, and cures.
SfN’s FY27 Congressional Outside Witness Testimony
SfN President Nick Spitzer, PhD, weighed in with congressional leaders on the House and Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS), CJS, and the Senate MilCon-VA subcommittees ahead of their FY27 budget markups. SfN’s written testimony focused on the importance of biomedical research, the continued use of animal models, recent advancements in neuroscience, and harm caused by federal administrative actions, including funding cuts and potential caps to facilities and administrative (F&A) costs.
ACROSS THE FIELD
Federal Funding Webinar: SfN and the American Academy of Neurology held a recent webinar on federal funding. Attendees learned how the federal appropriations process operates, what happens during a funding lapse or government shutdown, and what they can do to help keep important research moving. Watch Now
Local Advocacy in the DC Metro Area: The SfN DCMA chapter published a Neuronline article highlighting their advocacy and outreach work. Read on Neuronline
JOIN SfN AT NEUROSCIENCE 2026
Wednesday, May 27–Wednesday, June 10: Neuroscience 2026 abstract submission period.
Wednesday, July 15, noon EDT: Advance member registration opens.
Saturday, November 14–Wednesday, November 18: Neuroscience 2026 in Washington, D.C.
