Advocacy Network Newsletter

Spotlight 

Learn more about the CR Congress passed ahead of the October 1 deadline. This CR funds the government at FY 24 levels through Wednesday, December 20, ahead of their holiday recess. While it is a positive outcome that the government did not shut down, it is critical to understand the negative impacts a CR has on biomedical research and why it’s imperative that Congress return after the election to fund the government for the remaining months of FY 25. Send your Senators and Representatives a message highlighting research advances presented at Neuroscience 2024 and urging them to provide robust funding for biomedical research in FY 25.

SfN News

Highlights from SfN Advocacy Events at Neuroscience 2024 

Earlier this month, SfN held its annual meeting in Chicago and hosted many impactful advocacy events. Five current Early Career Policy Ambassadors presented their advocacy work during the Early Career Poster Session. Additionally, the Animals in Research Panel consisted of an expert panel including National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz, MD, and a patient advocate who shared the role animal models played in research that led to approved treatments for spinal muscular atrophy. Finally, at the Advocacy Forum, attendees heard from experts on the latest developments in addiction research as well as the important role advocacy plays in continuing this work. If you attended these events, please fill out the Animals in Research Panel feedback survey and Advocacy Forum survey so SfN can continue to improve these events each year.  

Learn more about Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) Andrew Strohman’s research and advocacy projects. Explore the entire Meet the ECPA collection on Neuronline, SfN’s home for learning and discussion. 

Meet the 2024 Early Career Policy Ambassador, Katherine Gonzalez, on Neuronline 

Learn about Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) Katherine Gonzalez’s research and advocacy projects. Explore the entire Meet the ECPA collection on Neuronline, SfN’s home for learning and discussion. Apply for SfN's 2025 ECPA Program by Monday, January 6. 

Federal News

NIH Director Authors Blog Post on Parkinson’s Disease Study  

Read the blog post by NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, MD, discussing a new NIH-supported study aiming to advance research on Parkinson’s disease. The study, which seeks to boost energy levels in the brain to stop the neurodegenerative process associated with Parkinson’s disease, takes an encouraging step toward this goal.   

Read: Articles Highlighting the Importance of Animals in Research  

Check out the recently published article in JNeurosci discussing the critical role of the responsible and ethical use of nonhuman primates (NHPs) in biomedical research despite opposition threatening the future of NHP research. Nature also published an article underscoring the continued importance of the use of animals in biomedical research. Take a look at SfN’s animals in research resources to learn more about how to advocate in the field. to learn more about how to advocate in the field. 

National Academies Publishes Workshop Proceedings on Communicating About Animal Research 

Read the published proceedings summarizing of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop. The workshop covered topics from communication strategies to philosophical discussions about how individual moral backgrounds influence conversations.  

NAM Releases Report on State of U.S. Biomedical Research Enterprise 

Read the new National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Special Publication State of the U.S. Biomedical and Health Research Enterprise: Strategies for a Healthier America. The report addresses the challenges facing the biomedical research enterprise and evaluates whether the U.S. can continue to maintain global leadership while addressing the health needs of its aging population. 

Now Open! Applications for Research!America Microgrants 

Apply Now for Research!America’s 2024-2025 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program. Funding is open to groups of early career researchers who want to design and execute nonpartisan civic engagement activities and create dialogues with local communities and public officials around scientific research, technological innovation, public health, and other topics of common interest. Research!America has also launched the Public Engagement Training Content Microgrants, a new category of awards in the form of $5,000 stipends to fund curriculum development in science communication and other public engagement skills. Applications close November 15.  

Attend: NIH Two-Part Webinar on Grants Process 

On Wednesday November 13 and Thursday, November 14, NIH will host a two-part virtual event that will provide participants with the basics to help navigate the NIH grants process from application preparation to award. Register now. 

• Send a message to your members of Congress 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 effectively 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.    

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