October 2020

SfN Global Connectome: A Virtual Event Scheduled for January 11-13, 2021

Mark your calendars! SfN Global Connectome: A Virtual Event will be held January 11-13. Read the September 9 statement.

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Urge Congress to Complete the FY2021 Appropriations Process

Congress passed a continuing resolution, temporarily avoiding a government shutdown. Contact your members of Congress today and ask them to complete the FY 2021 appropriations process with an increase to biomedical research funding, including at least $15.5 billion in the next COVID-19 relief package. Additionally, remind your member that animal models in research are already well-regulated and additional regulations and restrictions would have a detrimental effect on research.

NeuroAdvocate Challenge: October 2020 

Continue carrying out advocacy activities to support the scientific community this month:

• Help elevate the importance of research and innovation in the national conversation this election season with Vote Science Strong from Research!America.
• Register for and attend the virtual Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing on Exploring Recent Discoveries in Neuroscience Research. The virtual event will take place Oct. 26, 2020. 

Federal Advocacy News   

• Congress passes and President Trump signs a stopgap funding bill, averting a government shutdown at the last minute. The continuing resolution will keep the government funded through Dec. 11, 2020.

New Survey Shows Broad Bipartisan Support for a Stronger Focus on Science

Research!America commissioned a recent survey aimed at assessing America’s commitment to science. The results showed overwhelming support for science across political parties. There is large bipartisan support for basic research, maintaining global leadership in science, and increasing federal spending on science, among other positive results. The survey also indicates a strong majority view that it as important for scientists to talk to elected officials, and for said elected officials to listen to the scientists, which is of particular interest to the scientific advocacy field as a whole.

New Funding Opportunity Announcement for Neuroscience Postdoctoral Fellows

The goal of this funding opportunity announcement is to support the research training of postdoctoral fellows who have the potential to become investigators in research areas that will advance the goals of the BRAIN Initiative. Applications are encouraged in any research area that is aligned with the BRAIN Initiative, including neuroethics. Applicants are expected to propose research training in an area that clearly complements their predoctoral research and will markedly broaden the applicant’s knowledge and skills. The next application deadlines are Dec. 9, 2020 and Aug. 10, 2021.

RFI on Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Animal Facility Inspections

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare put out an RFI on flexibilities for conducting semiannual inspections after a report identified semiannual inspections as an area to potentially reduce administrative burden. Each animal care committee of a research entity is required to review the care and treament of animals in all animal study areas. NIH has identified and seeks comments on 10 flexibilities. The deadline for the RFI is Oct. 22, 2020.

Digital Conference “Animal Research 2020 and Beyond”

Animal Research Tomorrow, formerly Basel Declaration Society, will launch a digital conference Nov. 13, 2020. The conference will focus on a vision for the future of animal experimentation in collaboration with stakeholders from academia and industry. Animal Research Tomorrow will discuss improving science, research practice and ethics of animal experimentation, as well its relation to society and medicine. If interested, please register here.

Research!America Launches 2020-21 Microgrant Program for Young Scientists

Research!America is requesting proposals from graduate student and postdoc-led science policy groups to participate in the third year of its civic engagement initiative. This year, Research!America provides funding to student groups for virtual activities that focus on civic engagement and spark dialogue with public officials, local community leaders, and the public around science and health research.

NABR Released an Action Alert in Support of a House Resolution Positive on Animals in Research

Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Peter King (R-NY) drafted a House resolution supporting American biomedical research. The resolution includes specific language about research work with animals. To help this resolution, NABR releases an action alert for you to voice your support to your representatives. This language is important for advancing the interests of the biomedical research community.

International News Headlines

• European Union unveils targets for hyped research ‘missions’.
• Brazil strains at quarantine as virus cases pass 5 million.
• Beijing unveils protections for health emergency whistleblowers.
• India, South Africa ask WTO to ease IP rules for COVID-19.

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.
• Reach out to advocacy@sfn.org for assistance in preparing for your next advocacy effort at home or on Capitol Hill.