Message From the President: Standing Together
John H. Morrison
It has been a destabilizing, chaotic, and frightening few months. The federal government-supported scientific enterprise is under unprecedented attack in the U.S. Since January 20, we have seen:
- Grants from government agencies frozen or canceled
- A list of red-flag words that will result in a government-funded grant being canceled
- Targeting of universities’ federal support to coerce changes on campus
- Devastating cuts to staff at science-supporting agencies across the federal government
Everyone reading this column has either been directly hurt by the above actions or knows someone who has. We are, collectively, experiencing a deeply painful moment as we watch our good-faith relationship with the federal government be severely damaged.
Many of you, like SfN Council, have been asking “How can we respond to this onslaught?”
When engaging on government policy issues like NIH funding levels and the use of animals in research, Council has long understood that there is only so much we can do on our own. The voice of the Society is best heard when working in chorus alongside many other similar organizations all advocating for the same things. Together with our partners, we join sign-on letters, host Congressional briefings, and work directly with members of Congress to insert beneficial language into bills under consideration. SfN and our many partner organizations have been exceptionally active on these fronts.
At the same time, we ask SfN members to become NeuroAdvocates by emailing their Senators and Representatives, inviting their members of Congress to lab tours, and participating in SfN’s advocacy efforts.
Beyond actions by the Society and its partners, the universities and medical schools that are leading centers of biomedical research — and are themselves by far the largest and best-funded members of the advocacy coalition — are beginning to fight back. Encouragingly, hundreds of university presidents of institutions varying in size, wealth, geography, and other characteristics signed on to a letter denouncing the Administration’s intrusion of higher education in what is being called one of the biggest signs of unity among higher education institutions to date. I encourage all SfN members to reach out to their university leadership and ask for them to take a stand. There is great strength if these major institutions stand together, and great risk to the enterprise if they choose to remain silent or acquiesce.
I have found myself seeking solace with family, friends, and colleagues to help process the events of the past few months. My mind frequently turns to Neuroscience 2025 and the gathering of our neuroscience community there.
For me, the SfN annual meeting is usually an exciting mix of science and friendship. This year, it will be one of solidarity. In San Diego, we will come together to strengthen our collective resolve and speak up for those no longer able to join us. It will be an invigorating experience, and one that will fortify all attendees in the face of the challenges yet to come. I encourage you to submit an abstract before the June 4 deadline.
