August 2018
Federal News Roundup
- Meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier nominated as White House science advisor.
- NIH reassesses public-private partnership safeguards.
- HHS releases guidelines for common rule revisions.
- Concerns grown over creation of laws mandating research animal adoption.
Use Our New Best Practices to Connect with Your Policymakers
Connect with your policymakers during August Recess to share the importance of supporting policies favorable to neuroscience. Whether you’re new to science advocacy or looking to expand your portfolio, our advocacy best practices will help you to refine your science communication and advocacy skills. Together, we can build congressional support for neuroscience priorities.
SfN Weighs in on Importance of Faculty Diversity
Leadership from SfN’s Neuroscience Training Committee, Professional Development Committee, and the Neuroscience Scholars Program filed comments in response to a National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) request for information. NIGMS requested strategies to promote postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups to pursue faculty positions.
Canadian Advocacy Leads to $3 Billion Investment for Research
The Society’s strategic investment in the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN) helped to grow their advocacy program, including increased society collaborations and policymaker communications. These efforts contributed to historic investments in research and development in Canada, including a 25 percent increase for basic scientific research.
BRAIN Initiative Request for Information (RFI)
The NIH BRAIN Initiative is currently soliciting input from key stakeholders on the tools, technologies, and questions that should be explored by the Initiative as it approaches its midpoint. Submit your ideas regarding data sharing infrastructure and policies, ethical implications of BRAIN-supported research advancements, and technology dissemination and training by Thursday, November 15.
Congress Updated on 21st Century Cures Act
The Health Subcommittee of the House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing last month to update Congress on the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act. The hearing included an update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including testimony from NIH Director Francis Collins and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.
SfN Advocacy Resources
- Contact your legislator about research funding via the Advocacy Action Center.
- Learn how to engage your members of Congress and persuasively advocate for science.
- Engage your lawmakers directly by calling them to schedule an in-person meeting or a lab tour.
- Talk to the public about the importance of animal research.
- Get involved in global advocacy.
