December 2021

Tell Congress to Pass Appropriations for FY2022 and Reject Future CRs

Join your fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to reject the use of continuing resolutions by passing FY2022 appropriations packages before the end of current funding, February 18. Send your Representative and Senators a message via SfN’s Advocacy Action Center and personalize it by including why predictable funding for biomedical research is important to you. 

Apply Now To Become An ECPA

Applications are now open for SfN's Early Career Policy Ambassadors (ECPA) Program. This 10-month program for early career undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students, as well as recent PhD/MD recipients, allows NeuroAdvocates to enhance their advocacy skills with the neuroscience community, policymakers, and the public. Applications will be open until January 5.

Register Now For The Animals in Research Panel Webinar

SfN is hosting an Animals in Research Panel titled, How to Prepare for, Defend Against, and Recover From Animal Rights Oppositional Efforts on Wednesday, January 19, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST. Working with animals in your research comes with additional oversight, regulation, and the inherent risk of opposition. Come listen and ask questions to our esteemed group of panelists as they discuss their experiences of facing personal attacks and how best to combat them and generate institutional support. Registration is now open to SfN members and those interested in this discussion. We encourage you and your colleagues to attend! 

Congress Introduces Cures 2.0 Legislation 

Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) have introduced their bipartisan legislation, the Cures 2.0 Act, building upon the progress made from their original 21st Century Cures Act signed into law in 2016. Included in the Cures 2.0 Act is the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act which would authorize $25 billion to federal science agencies whose work was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Advocated by SfN members during Hill Day this past March, the RISE Act would be a significant boost for scientists across the country in continuing their biomedical research. Send your Representative and Senators a message via SfN’s Advocacy Action Center urging them to support this legislation.

Sign On To Letter Addressing Human Rights and Speciesism

International advocacy group, Speaking of Research, is encouraging members of the research community to sign-on to their letter addressing the harmful tactics being used to advance animal rights agendas including language about human rights and speciesism. We encourage SfN members to consider signing-on to this letter and voicing your support for this very important issue.

Listen to Current ECPAs Talk About Science Policy and Advocacy

Current ECPA Rachel Gilfarb hosted a discussion with fellow ECPAs Sarah Steimel, Jennifer Brown, and Danielle Goldman on her podcast show. Together they talked about their personal experiences with science policy and advocacy, why the public should take interest in this topic, and how to get involved utilizing the resources SfN and other organizations provide. We recommend you listen to these four early career scientists and continue the conversation with your peers and colleagues.

Apply Now for the STAR U Program at Columbia University

Applications for the 2022 Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U) Program at Columbia University are now open. This is a 2-month fully funded research training program designed to encourage undergraduate students from diverse and underrepresented communities to pursue further graduate studies and careers in aging and neuroscience related research. Throughout the summer, in addition to carrying out an individualized research project alongside Columbia faculty, students engage in a range of learning and professional development opportunities and become part of a supportive learning community. Applications close January 15.

• 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.