Advocacy Network Newsletter

Tell Congress to Support Increased Funding for Vital Biomedical Research By November 21 

To return to full funding for biomedical research and avoid a devastating government shutdown, Congress must pass appropriations before the Continuing Resolution expires November 21. Tell your representatives today that they must avoid a government shutdown and maintain predictable funding for critical scientific research.

NeuroAdvocate Challenge: Mid-November 2019 Challenges

SfN invites NeuroAdvocates to unite for the NeuroAdvocate Challenge — a series of activities meant to bridge connections between NeuroAdvocates, policymakers, and others on a local, national, and international level. Challenge participants can enter a drawing to attend the 2021 SfN Capitol Hill Day.

Join the challenge and get started as a NeuroAdvocate today by:

• Signing up to participate in SfN's NeuroAdvocate Challenge.
• Learning about Global Neuroscience Initiatives and their geographical reach.
• Discovering SfN’s global partnerships with the International Brain Research Organization, the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), and other North American programs.
• Identifying who your elected officials are, what committees they sit on, and what their legislative positions are.
• Applying to be an Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) or recruiting someone from your department or chapter to apply.

Share this challenge with departments, chapters, colleagues, and anyone interested in advocating for the field to amplify our message and reach as NeuroAdvocates. Once you get started, let us know what activities you have completed.

Neuroscience 2019: SfN Thanks Advocates

SfN thanks all who were able to attend Neuroscience 2019 and join in advocacy events. In total, 490 people participated in various advocacy events at Neuroscience 2019, including:

• Nearly 225 people who spoke with SfN’s advocacy team at SfN’s Advocacy Booth.
• Nearly 125 people who attended the Animals in Research panel.
• Nearly 110 people who attended the Public Advocacy Forum.
• Nearly 85 people who attended the Advocacy Reception.

The Society looks forward to seeing NeuroAdvocates at Neuroscience 2020 in Washington, D.C., and appreciates all the effort they have put into supporting and advancing the field. Participation in these events is also noted for the NeuroAdvocate Challenge. Your enduring work at and away from the bench allows the field to flourish and continually tackle emerging issues, spur innovation, and improve the health and wellbeing of people around the world.

Federal News Roundup 

• Lawmakers dismissed fresh fears of another government shutdown as they work on stopgap funding.

• NIH Director Francis Collins released a statement regarding the retirement of their aging Alamogordo chimpanzees, indicating they will retire in place due to serious anticipated health risks associated with their transfer to a sanctuary.

• The NIH BRAIN Initiative is collaborating with Addgene to develop a plasmid/virus collection that will showcase and promote the dissemination of the diverse molecular tools developed under the BRAIN Initiative.

Positioned to Lead: William Martin on Global Advocacy

Listen to a special History of SfN: 50th Anniversary limited series podcast episode from former SfN GPA Chair William Martin. Martin discusses the evolution and future of SfN’s role in global advocacy, as well as the relationship between applied research and the science ecosystem at large, and the successes of the BRAIN Initiative.

Three Advocates on Why They Got Involved and How to Talk to Lawmakers

From coalition work to education to research, hear from three advocates on why they got involved in advocacy, what they discovered, and how sharing your story can change the world.

NIH Rural Health Seminar

Watch or attend the Inaugural NIH Rural Health Seminar November 18, 9:30 a.m.–noon EST. The seminar aims to bring together researchers, medical practitioners and others to explore topics in rural health and share research ideas for how innovations in clinical and translational science could improve rural health outcomes.

International News Headlines

• U.S. travel ban disrupts the world's largest brain science meeting.
• Large-scale national research projects hope to reveal the secrets of the human brain.
• New EU research commissioner faces a fight for €94.1B Horizon Europe budget.
• Split decisions: How Brexit has taken a toll on five researchers.
• “There’s no hope for the rest of us.” Uyghur scientists swept up in China’s massive detentions.
• Russia falls behind global norm for international publication collaborations.
• U.K. science minister says DARPA-like agency that will increase science funding is in the works.

SfN Advocacy Resources

• Apply now to be an Early Career Policy Ambassador.
• Contact your legislator about research funding 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 persuasively advocate for science with SfN's Advocacy Best Practices.
• Get involved in global advocacy.
• Talk to the public about the importance of animal research.
• Download the SfN Advocacy App for your Apple or Android device to have all your advocacy resources in one place.
• Reach out to advocacy@sfn.org for assistance in preparing for your next advocacy effort at home or on Capitol Hill.

2019

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