| November/December 2020 |
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Urge Congress to Complete the FY2021 Appropriations Process.
- Congress has 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.
- Report back any activities you have carried out as part of SfN’s NeuroAdvocate Challenge by Dec. 11, 2020.
- Let us know all the activities you have completed as the NeuroAdvocate Challenge will wrap up this December. Whether you were participating early in the challenge, followed along over the past few months, or recently started to advocate with SfN – we want to hear from everyone advocating for neuroscience over the past year. Write-in spaces are available for advocacy activities outside the challenge that you have completed each month. Active NeuroAdvocates will be recognized and will have the chance to attend SfN’s 15th Capitol Hill Day virtually in 2021.
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| October 2020 |
- Read how to advocate for social change on social media.
- "‘Scientists shouldn’t get political’ is a common refrain many have heard…[but], the politics of society directly impacts the funding, the work, and the personal lives of scientists." Read more from current ECPA Ubadah Sabbagh on his experiences advocating on social media, the role you can play, and effective strategies he has used when advocating.
- Urge Congress to Complete the FY2021 Appropriations Process.
- Congress has 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.
- Help elevate the importance of research and innovation in the U.S. national conversation this election season with Vote Science Strong from Research!America.
- By learning how to make the best case for a science-strong future, engaging with your candidates and community to prioritize science and research, and voting to express views on decisions made by elected officials – U.S. voters and advocates can make their voices heard in the national conversation this election season.
- Register for and attend the virtual Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing on Exploring Recent Discoveries in Neuroscience Research. The virtual event is now available on demand for viewing.
- SfN hosted a congressional briefing on the recent discoveries in neuroscience research. Panelists reviewed the translational benefits provided by predictable federal funding of basic neuroscience research to medical treatments and discoveries.
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| September 2020 |
- Join the Coalition for Health Funding (on Twitter or Instagram) to urge Congress to pass fiscal year 2021 funding and illustrate the harm of long-term continuing resolutions (CRs).
- Whether you retweet, repost, or share your own post – the health and science advocacy community are coming together to voice why we need to #fundhealth. Add your voice, remind Congress about the importance of regular order appropriations funding, and underscore negative impact of long-term CRs.
- Sample Post: “Shutdowns are bad for public health, but so are long-term CRs. Predictable and sustainable funding for programs is required to address the U.S.'s ongoing health care needs. Congress must come together and #fundhealth by passing the FY 2021 appropriations bills ASAP.”
- Watch how you can partner with SfN to strengthen your advocacy efforts.
- There are many opportunities to partner with SfN and other like-minded advocates, whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience. SfN has many materials to help you with your advocacy activities on SfN.org, Neuronline, and BrainFacts.org. You may contact us at advocacy@sfn.org for assistance in your future advocacy efforts.
- Refresh yourself on what advocacy is and why it matters.
- As many are navigating the new school year, review what advocacy is and why it matters. Learn how your voice as a constituent-scientist is particularly valuable and how SfN and the broader scientific community typically collaborate for a larger impact.
- Equip yourself with all the information you need to vote in the 2020 U.S. election, if you are able to vote in the United States.
- Whether you plan to vote in person or by mail, vote.org allows you to register to vote, check your registration, easily reference important dates and deadlines, request an absentee ballot, find your polling place, and/or become a poll worker. Click here to learn more about candidates running for office in your community.
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| August 2020 |
- Urge your lawmakers to include research funding in the next emergency COVID-19 spending bill.
- The Senate GOP Majority released a significantly pared-down COVID-19 spending bill, which does not include any NIH funding to help re-start health and science research across the nation. Urge your lawmakers to reach a compromise that prioritizes broader medical research progress in the next supplemental funding package.
- Contact your elected officials to ensure report language that wanes the ethical use of animals in research at NIH is not included in the final FY 21 appropriations bill.
- The House Appropriations Committee advanced language for NIH to move away from critical animal research models which help advance cures and better treatments in neuroscience. Please ask Congress to support the continued, well-regulated use of animals in research today.
- Watch the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (CNC) virtual briefing on “Preserving Mental Health during COVID-19.”
- Hear from top U.S. policy officials and medical professionals as they discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. This briefing features remarks from CNC Co-Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), covers nationwide health trends, highlights the impacts on the Black community and answers questions from the audience Q&A. For similar conversations on this topic, check out this webinar on Neuronline.
- Register to take part in this year’s Rally for Medical Research. Let SfN know you registered by emailing advocacy@sfn.org.
- Register to join the virtual Rally for Medical Research Sept. 16-17, 2020. This event features representatives from more than 300 national organizations calling on U.S. policymakers to prioritize NIH funding and raise awareness about the importance of continued investment in medical research. The deadline to register is August 31.
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| July 2020 |
- Reach out to your members of Congress to provide cost supplements for research grants reprogrammed or stalled by COVID-19.
- When grant-funded research can’t move forward, the medical progress these grants were meant to propel are be squandered - wasting time patients cannot afford. Join the larger research community in making this issue a priority before the Senate introduces their supplemental spending bill.
- Watch the Neuronline webinar “Black Lives Matter and Neuroscience: Why This Moment Matters.”
- Listen to panelists speak about the challenges diverse neuroscientists face within the field, provide guidance on how the neuroscience community can leverage this moment to influence change, and discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the tenure clock for junior faculty – namely impacts on faculty of color.
- Read SfN’s statement on the administration’s executive order concerning non-immigrant visa restrictions in the US.
- SfN released the following statement calling for an end to visa restrictions extended by the administration’s recent executive order and reaffirming SfN’s commitment to the free exchange of information, diversity, and global collaboration.
- Share on social media how your research benefits the public, and ask your members of Congress to #fundhealth and #fundscience.
- Briefly share your stories on how your research impacts the public as lawmakers are determining health and science funding levels for COVID-19 relief and fiscal year 2021. Use govtrack.us to find and tag your legislators' social media accounts, incorporate the hashtags #fundhealth and/or #fundscience, and tag SfN.
- Learn about tips on how to develop a digital chapter.
- Read about the new opportunities for chapters to step in and connect the scientific community even more than they already do — through establishing an online presence.
- Tell Congress to support biomedical research funding in FY 21 and the next COVID-19 relief package.
- The House and Senate are negotiating details for fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding levels, as well as the next COVID-19 relief package. Tell Congress to ensure that funding for biomedical research is included at adequate levels and to not forget the relief needed by researchers and investigators across the country.
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| June 2020 |
- Read SfN’s statement on diversity, inclusion, and equity.
- View and share resources to promote the value and understanding of diversity in science.
- Here are some resources that begin to address pivotal issues in science resulting from structural inequities and implicit biases:
- Tell Congress to support biomedical research funding in FY 21 and the next COVID-19 relief package.
- The House and Senate are negotiating details for fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding levels, as well as the next COVID-19 relief package. Tell Congress to ensure that funding for biomedical research is included at adequate levels and to not forget the relief needed by researchers and investigators across the country.
- Check out the modified House legislative schedule for the summer of 2020.
- As you plan out your advocacy activities, make yourself aware of when your Representatives will be working and voting on legislation. The updated Senate legislative schedule is pending release.
- Watch the virtual Congressional Neuroscience Caucus briefing on COVID-19 and the brain.
- The virtual briefing from Wednesday, June 3, 2020 covered how those exposed to COVID-19 may face a heightened risk for a range of brain diseases and disorders (view summary).
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| May 2020 |
- Register to attend the virtual Congressional Neuroscience Caucus briefing on COVID-19 and the brain.
- The virtual briefing is on Wednesday, June 3 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT and will cover how those exposed to COVID-19 may face a heightened risk for a range of brain diseases and disorders.
- Download and utilize the new advocacy best practice and video on “Scheduling and Conducting Virtual Meetings with Policymakers and Staff.”
- These resources help you continue your advocacy efforts by effectively executing virtual meetings with your policymakers and their offices.
- Watching the COVID-19 legislative and advocacy town hall event from the SfN Advocacy team.
- In this April 28 call, SfN’s Advocacy and Training Director, SfN’s Advocacy Engagement Manager, and SfN’s Legislative Advisors joined NeuroAdvocates from around the country to discuss the current situation on Capitol Hill and how scientists can be engaged virtually.
- Check out how and why you should continue to advocate throughout the year.
- Whether you are just starting to advocate or are building a community of NeuroAdvocates, you can still continue your science advocacy efforts digitally.
- Read and share SfN’s Congressional testimony on funding for NIH and NSF in fiscal year 2021.
- Even when attention is focused on new and timely issues, Congress still must do its annual work to fund the government. As research spending is a big part of that funding, remind your Congressional offices why agencies that support neuroscience research need to remain a high priority.
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| April 2020 |
- Find your legislators, follow them on social media, and subscribe to their regular communications.
- Get informed with the latest news affecting your district(s) and state(s) as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continually evolves.
- Learn about inventive ways to share your expertise, represent scientific perspectives, and connect neuroscience with legislators and the public.
- SfN encourages all neuroscientists to use their knowledge, skills, and other capabilities to serve and innovate in their communities.
- Write and submit an editorial or op-ed for your local community.
- Engaging local media can allow you to share scientific viewpoints and broadcast the importance of advocacy efforts in your community. Make sure to share any drafts and/or finalized pieces with your SfN Advocacy partners at advocacy@sfn.org.
- Signed-up for SfN's town hall phone call on digital advocacy during COVID-19.
- This call took place on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 1 p.m. EDT.
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| February/March 2020 |
- Email your legislators to support SfN’s Congressional ‘asks’ for neuroscience.*
- Each year, SfN works alongside other science coalitions to develop concrete ‘asks’ to relay to Congressional offices. The asks this year include specific funding levels for federal science agencies, support for the use of animals in research, and support for global collaboration in research.
- Ask your Representative to join the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus and Senators to join the NIH Caucus if they have not already done so.*
- These neuroscience-related caucuses provide an opportunity for congresspeople to discuss and pursue common legislative objectives, as well as fight for more funding in the biomedical sciences. Ask your legislators to join these caucuses today.
- Watch videos on how to share your personal story and how to conduct an effective meeting with a congressional office.
- Write, rewrite, and practice telling your story. Share your story with SfN when reporting challenge activities and email advocacy@sfn.org to receive individual feedback on how to effectively communicate your story with Congressional offices. Make sure to also share your story on social media using #NeuroAdvocate.
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| January 2020 |
- Connect with your local or national neuroscience society.
- Ask your Representative to join the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus and Senators to join the NIH Caucus if they have not already done so.*
- These neuroscience-related caucuses provide an opportunity for congresspeople to discuss and pursue common legislative objectives, as well as fight for more funding in the biomedical sciences. Ask your legislators to join these caucuses today!
- Watch clips of floor speeches from former Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) to familiarize yourself with how the US Congress talks about brain research.
- House and Senate floor speeches are formal addresses delivered by Members of Congress to their entire chamber. Former Rep. Ros-Lehtinen speaks on brain research in her district, while Rep. McNerney speaks on support for federal investments in brain research.
- Learn what advocacy activities are most effective when engaging with your lawmakers.
- Understand how to engage your lawmakers by checking out this video from SfN’s Neuroscientist’s Guide to Advocacy series. The video covers options available for engagement, their impact, and how to choose activities that fit your comfort level.
- Connect with an international colleague and learn how other countries fund and prioritize basic biomedical research.
- Funding basic biomedical research in the U.S. looks a lot different than in nations SfN partners with. Speak with an international colleague and learn how other nations prioritize spending for basic biomedical research.
- Learn about the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives’ Brain Awareness Campaign, which hosts the annual Brain Awareness Week.
- Find out how to get involved and inform your policymakers and elected officials on the importance of brain research. This year’s Brain Awareness Week will be March 16–22.
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| December 2019 |
- Email your Representative and Senators to introduce yourself as a constituent, a researcher, and someone interested in talking to them about brain research.*
- Connect with your elected officials as a constituent to have your name familiarized with their office and to serve as a resource for neuroscience and scientific research.
- Encourage a colleague or friend to sign up for SfN’s Advocacy Network Newsletter & Alerts.
- Sign up to receive the latest science policy developments, advocacy engagement opportunities, and advance advocacy resources right to your inbox.
- Post a video of yourself on social media challenging other NeuroAdvocates to participate in the challenge.
- When posting, make sure to use the hashtag #NeuroAdvocate.
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| November 2019 |
- Sign up to participate in SfN's NeuroAdvocate Challenge.*
- Sign up to stay in the loop, receive recognition for your efforts throughout the challenge, and be considered for SfN’s 2021 Capitol Hill Day
- Learn about global neuroscience initiatives and their geographical reach.
- Discover SfN's global partners.
- SfN partners with the International Brain Research Organization, the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, and other North American programs. Partnering with like-minded organizations around the world helps to appropriately support neuroscience priorities as a community.
- Apply to be an Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) or recruited someone from your department or chapter to apply. Applications close January 10, 2020.
- Hear from a past ECPA about this one-year program, and apply today to interact with leading NeuroAdvocates, meet with policymakers, and bolster your advocacy and outreach efforts at home.
- Identify who your U.S. elected officials are, what committees they sit on, and what their legislative positions are.
- Your U.S. legislator may serve on one of several committees relevant to neuroscience research.
- Follow your elected officials on social media and learn about them.
- Using SfN's Find Your Legislator tool, follow your elected official on social media or go to their website and subscribe to their newsletters.
- Use SfN’s Neuroscientist’s Guide to Advocacy and other advocacy training materials to learn about how Congress allocates federal research dollars.
- Remember Schoolhouse Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill?” The classic 1975 video quickly and easily explains the process of making a U.S. bill into law for people of all ages. However, there is more to the process that you can leverage to maximize your advocacy efforts.
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| October 2019 |
- Speak with SfN’s advocacy team at SfN’s Advocacy Booth at Neuroscience 2019.*
- Attend the Animals in Research Panel at Neuroscience 2019.*
- Attend the Public Advocacy Forum at Neuroscience 2019.*
- Attend the Advocacy Reception at Neuroscience 2019.*
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