August 2023
Urge Congress to Protect Neuroscience Research and Avoid Spending Cuts in FY 2024
We urge you to reach out to your legislators now, as the House Appropriations Committee has released draft spending bills proposing devastating cuts to medical research. Join fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to protect neuroscience research and avoid deep spending cuts in Fiscal Year 2024. It is essential Congress demonstrates its commitment to scientific research and discovery by providing the highest possible funding levels for federal science agencies and programs. Send your Representative and Senators a message via SfN’s Advocacy Action Center and personalize it by stating why inadequate research funding would be detrimental to your own work as a neuroscientist.
2023 ECPAs Participate in Congressional Days
Members of the 2023 Early Career Policy Ambassadors (ECPA) class participated in SfN’s third annual congressional days in July. In total, 7 ECPAs across 5 states met virtually with their congressional offices, taking part in 14 meetings. Discussions included the pivotal research being done by the ECPAs, the importance of continued and robust funding for biomedical research, and the critical need for the use of medical research with animals, including non-human primates. ECPAs continue to grow as NeuroAdvocates and gain valuable experience advocating for important issues that affect SfN members.
Appropriations Update
Before adjourning for August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved all 12 FY 2024 spending bills, including those overseeing the NIH and NSF. While the House Appropriations Committee has not passed all their spending bills, the full House did approve the FY 2024 MILCON-VA appropriations bill which provided $938 million for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program, a $22 million increase over FY 2023. See below for a chart depicting the current proposed funding levels for SfN priorities. Congress is currently in recess, returning in September, where they will have until September 30 to pass all 12 bills in both chambers. It is anticipated that a Continuing Resolution will be needed to avoid a government shutdown. If you haven’t already, we urge you to send your legislators a message urging them to protect neuroscience research and avoid deep spending cuts in FY 2024.
Why are Animals Used in Brain Research?
The European Animal Research Association (EARA) has released a detailed article explaining why animal models are still necessary in the field of brain research. It also looks at why this is necessary and where non-animal methods are currently being used.
NIH Workshop on Catalyzing the Development of Novel Alternatives Methods
The NIH will hold a virtual workshop on August 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET on approaches, challenges, and opportunities relating to the development of Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs). The workshop will focus on identifying potential high priority needs for catalyzing NAMs use and development with human applicability to (1) advance progress into understanding specific biological processes or states or (2) augment the tools and capabilities for biomedical research to complement and/or potentially replace traditional models. Pre-registration for viewing the free workshop is requested.
2023 Research!America National Health Research Forum
Registration is now open for Research!America’s 2023 National Health Research Forum on Tuesday, September 19th – Wednesday, September 20th. The Forum will include both virtual and live, in-person components with day 1 being fully virtual while day 2 being held in person in Washington, DC, at The George Washington University (GWU), followed by a reception at GWU. The theme is Straight Talk and discussions will highlight hard-won advances against deadly and debilitating health threats, approaches to remaining challenges, and identifying opportunities to leverage our successes to accelerate the pace and reach of progress going forward.
SfN Advocacy Resources
- Introduce yourself to the new 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.
