Advocacy Network Newsletter
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September 2024
Spotlight
Save the Date: Advocacy Events at Neuroscience 2024
Mark your calendars for exciting advocacy events during Neuroscience 2024 in Chicago, October 5–9.
Early Career Poster Session
Saturday, October 5, 6:30–8:30 p.m. CDT
McCormick Place Convention Center, Hall A
Join SfN advocacy for the Early Career Poster session, where current Early Career Policy Ambassadors will present their advocacy work from the past year.
Animals in Research Panel
Monday, October 7, 1:30–3 p.m. CDT
McCormick Place Convention Center, Room N229
Attend the Animals in Research Panel . Hear from researchers in the field, including National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz, MD, and a patient with spinal muscular atrophy, discuss how animal research has led to groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience and successes from the lab to patient care.
The Advocacy Forum
Tuesday, October 8, 2–3:30 p.m. CDT
McCormick Place Convention Center, Room N229
Attend the Advocacy Forum to hear from panelists on the latest breakthroughs in addiction research and the role of policymakers and advocacy in treating addiction.
SfN Advocacy News
Meet the 2024 Early Career Policy Ambassador, Andrew Strohman, on Neuronline
Learn more about Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) Andrew Strohman’s research and advocacy projects. Explore the entire Meet the ECPA collection on Neuronline, SfN’s home for learning and discussion.
ECPA Elana Kozina Hosts Lab Tour for Senator Fetterman’s Team
Read more about Elena Kozina, 2024 ECPA and faculty research associate at Thomas Jefferson University. Kozina recently hosted Mikecia Witherspoon, the Eastern Regional Director for Senator Fetterman (D-PA), for a lab tour where Witherspoon got to learn more about some of the research happening in labs in the Department of Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University.
ECPA Claire Robey Shares Advocacy Training Program and SfN’s Capitol Hill Day Experience
Learn more about 2024 ECPA Claire Robey’s experience participating in SfN’s advocacy training program and at SfN’s Capitol Hill Day. Robey authored these pieces as part of the neuroscience policy section in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences neuroscience graduate program newsletter. Read more about Robey’s research and advocacy projects.
Read SfN’s Comments on Representative McMorris Rodgers’ NIH Reform Proposal
Read SfN’s submitted comments on the NIH Reform Proposal released by House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). SfN’s response focused on IC organization/consolidation, indirect cost caps, grant reform, and reporting requirements surrounding the use of animals in research.
Federal News
Congress Considers Stopgap Measures Ahead of FY 25 Appropriations Deadlines
Read about the current continuing resolutions (CR) congressional leaders are considering to avoid a government shutdown before the October 1 deadline. While Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) still supports a six-month-long CR despite pulling it from a floor vote, it is more likely the discussion will focus on a shorter CR as Senate appropriations leaders favor a CR that ends in mid-December. Given it is a presidential election year, and the House and Senate have both failed to pass all 12 FY 25 appropriators bills thus far, it is unlikely that the appropriations will be complete before the November election. Learn more about why a long-term continuing resolution would negatively impact biomedical research.
Across the Field
Learn More: NIH NHP Evaluation and Analysis Final Report Released
NIH released a report on nonhuman primate (NHP) research as a follow-up to a similar study conducted
by NIH in 2018. The report acknowledged that NHPs are invaluable in biomedical research due to their similarity in physiological systems to humans, aiding studies in disease, behavior, and aging. The report also discussed the ongoing challenges of providing an adequate supply of NHPs for research conducted or supported by NIH. The report’s findings will inform NIH strategies to support the research community further.
Upcoming Events
- 2024 National Health Research Forum : Tuesday, September 17 (virtual), September 18 (in person)
- NIMH 75th Anniversary Symposium : —Friday, September 20 (in person and virtual)
- NABR Webinar: “Current and Future Challenges Facing Biomedical Research” —Tuesday, October 8
SfN Advocacy Resources
- Send a message to your members of 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.
Past Issues
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