Advocacy Network Newsletter

NeuroAdvocate Challenge: April 2020 

As the world continues to confront COVID-19, it is important to stay connected with the neuroscience community and your local communities in safe ways. You and your chapters can advocate this month by:  

• Finding your legislators, following them on social media, and subscribing to their regular communications. 
• Learning about inventive ways to share your expertise, represent scientific perspectives, and connect neuroscience with legislators and the public.
• Writing and submitting an editorial or op-ed for your local community.

These activities and more are part of SfN’s year-long NeuroAdvocate Challenge. Help advocate with SfN by signing up for the challenge today. Active participants will be recognized for their efforts and entered into a drawing to attend SfN’s 15th Capitol Hill Day in 2021.

View previous activities that have been rolled out to date, and make sure to report back completed activities to be recognized for your efforts.

Federal Advocacy News   

• White House science adviser Kelvin Droegemeier will temporarily lead NSF until the Senate can convene to confirm nominee Sethuraman Panchanathan.
• The third coronavirus response bill includes a boost of $945 million for NIH, $75 million for NSF, and a $14 billion relief fund for universities.
• The next 2020 BRAIN Initiative Investigators meeting will be held virtually over June 1st and 2nd.

Scientists Volunteer to Fight the Novel Coronavirus

Tens of thousands of scientists are organizing around the world to help pandemic relief efforts in any way they can as their labs temporarily close down. SfN member and former Early Career Policy Ambassador Michael Wells utilized twitter to create a database for institutions and government agencies to contact scientists who volunteer to help in local efforts. In less than 10 days, more than 7,000 scientists had joined the database. Additionally, the Association of American Universities has organized the donation of personal protective equipment to hospitals and medical facilities.

How Animals Have Helped Scientists Understand and Combat COVID-19

White House Coronavirus Task Force member Anthony Fauci recently discussed the importance of animal models in testing potential treatments and vaccines. Examples include the use of mice that were originally bred for SARS research and new research on non-human primates that has shown that reinfection will not be a major concern for COVID-19.

International News Headlines

• WHO launches Solidarity and Solidarity II, two global studies to find treatments for COVID-19. 
• India, with a population of 1.3 billion, issues a 21-day lockdown to curb the novel coronavirus.
• Low- and middle-income countries brace for coronavirus. 
• The European Animal Research Association provides a global view on animals helping in COVID-19 research.
• South Korea reports intimate details of COVID-19 cases, slowing the viral spread but raising privacy concern

SfN Advocacy Resources

• 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. 

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