February 2020

NeuroAdvocate Challenge: February 2020 

Advocate alongside SfN this February by signing up for the NeuroAdvocate Challenge today. Active participants will be recognized and entered into a drawing to attend the 2021 SfN Capitol Hill Day.  

Start or continue your #NeuroAdvocate efforts this month by:

• Reaching out to your elected officials to arrange a lab tour or in-district meeting at your institution during Brain Awareness Week. 
• Watching videos on how to share your personal story and how to conduct an effective meeting with a congressional office.

Make sure to report completed activities in order to be recognized for your efforts. Check out all of the previous activities that have been rolled out to date. 

Federal News Roundup  

• The president’s FY 2021 budget proposal was released, calling for notable cuts to many major science agencies.
• NIH names John Ngai as director of the BRAIN Initiative.  
• Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) launched the Bipartisan Women in STEM Caucus, founded to increase the presence of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM. 
• NSF released its 2020 Indicators report on the state of U.S. science and engineering. 
• The American Institute of Physics released a bulletin on the final FY 2020 NIH budget.

Talk Policy at Neuroscience 2020

Submit your proposal for this year’s Social Issues Roundtable panel. Each year during the SfN annual meeting, the Social Issues Roundtable is a chance for neuroscientists to connect their science to real-world social issues. Past roundtables have discussed traumatic brain injury, solitary confinement, and the advancement of prosthetics by February 21.

NHP NIH Hosting Non-Human Primate Models Workshop

Tune in live for an NIH workshop on non-human primate models on February 18 and 19 as part of a larger discussion on research rigor. NIH has been working with scientists with extensive experience working with non-human primates. The workshop will focus on lessons learned and remaining challenges for the design of rigorous, reproducible, and generalizable NHP research.

Thinking About Advocating? Here’s How to Start 

Maybe you’re interested in advocating for science but are waiting to have more time in your career. Or maybe you don’t know where to find groups that can show you how. Read advice from three scientist-advocates from across the career spectrum on how to get started advocating.

Day One Policy Accelerator Pitches 

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) launched the Day One Project initiative. The initiative seeks to collect the 100 best science and technologies ideas for action on day one of the next U.S. presidential term. The initiative has an open call for new ideas through its policy accelerator, and the deadline for pitches are March 1.

International News Headlines

• PhD student Sana El Hajji shares her story on her work in neuroscience beyond borders. 
• The UK is implementing a new global talent visa to attract the world’s leading scientists.  
• A recent NSF report indicates that China is closing the gap with the U.S. on research spending. 
• Attacks on one of Inida’s most prestigious universities sends shockwaves through the nation. 
• Brazil’s pick of a creationist to lead its higher education agency rattles scientists. 

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.