Statement on Federal Policy Actions Impacting Neuroscience and the Scientific Enterprise
As the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and central nervous system, SfN is a strong advocate of the research made possible by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Society remains committed to advancing the field of neuroscience through the work of our members.
Every new administration brings changes in priorities, and SfN is committed to working with the federal government to advance the federal research enterprise. At this juncture, SfN is concerned about recent developments across federal health and research agencies that threaten the very integrity and progress of biomedical research. Actions such as, workforce reductions, research grant cancellations, large reductions in the caps on Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, the reorganization of HHS, and the proposed 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and 57% cut to NSF in the President’s FY26 budget all threaten to undermine the United States’ global leadership in biomedical research. In addition, Executive Order 14303, “Restoring Gold Standard Science”, intends to restore federally funded research that is “transparent, rigorous, and impactful,” but will ultimately undermine scientific rigor and the transparent progress of science while increasing the potential for political interference.
SfN believes in the integrity behind public investment in scientific research and knows that robust and reliable funding sources through the federal government are necessary to maintain the competitiveness and success of the American scientific enterprise. Federal funding supports ongoing research to understand the brain in health and disease, but the threat to science research has left many scientists questioning their future ability to conduct this lifesaving work. To sustain and advance groundbreaking neuroscience research in the United States, SfN urges the administration to preserve expertise and experience in the neuroscience field and throughout the research enterprise.
SfN also vigorously promotes the responsible, ethical, and humane use of appropriate animal models, which improve our understanding of the human brain. Research with animal models is currently well-regulated and irreplaceable in neuroscience research. Following announcements from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and NIH that the agencies will aim to prioritize human-based technologies, or novel alternative methodologies (NAMS), SfN encourages HHS to continue support for irreplaceable animal models. While SfN supports the thoughtful incorporation of validated and appropriate NAMs, these tools must complement, not replace, proven animal models. A hybrid approach, combining NAMs with essential animal models, enables researchers to refine their studies, reduce the number of animals used, and enhance the efficiency of biomedical research. SfN is committed to this integrated strategy and urges HHS to consider this approach moving forward, soliciting input from the research community to implement the plan in a thoughtful, deliberate, and scientifically validated manner.
SfN is committed to training the next generation of neuroscience researchers. Early career scientists are essential to the future of the field, and federal support is crucial to ensuring their success and building the scientific workforce. Without adequate funding and opportunities, the U.S. risks losing an entire generation of the world’s most outstanding researchers; they are our future and as long as they remain in science, they will make groundbreaking discoveries and save lives.
We are currently in an era of rapid discovery of new advances in treatments of neurological diseases. Actions such as the ones described that undermine the flow of research leading to these advances will result in a loss of our nation’s leadership position in research, with adverse impacts for our citizens as well as the domestic biomedical industry. SfN is ready to serve as a resource for its members and calls on federal agencies to halt these destabilizing actions to ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in neuroscience research to improve the health of all Americans.
John H. Morrison
SfN President
