Advocacy Network Newsletter

Spotlight 

SfN Monitors 2024 Federal Elections

SfN has been closely monitoring the results of the 2024 Presidential and Congressional races. Former President Donald Trump is projected to win the 2024 Presidential Election, with Republicans winning back a slight majority in the Senate and Republicans presumably retaining their majority in the House. As a new administration and Congress are sworn in early next year, SfN remains committed to advocating for the research community and looks forward to working with NeuroAdvocates to bring a collective voice to federal policymakers on the importance of continued support for biomedical research.  

SfN News

Now Open! Early Career Policy Ambassadors Program Applications

Apply now for SfN's Early Career Policy Ambassadors (ECPA) Program . Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students and recent PhD/MD recipients are encouraged to apply to this 10-month program. The ECPA Program allows early career scientists to enhance their advocacy skills with the neuroscience community, policymakers, and the public. Applications are open until Monday, January 6.  

Meet the 2024 Early Career Policy Ambassador, Clara Zundel, on Neuronline

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

Federal News

NIH Director’s Blog Discusses First Complete Neural Map of Fruit Fly

Read NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli’s recent blog post discussing the first complete map, or connectome, of every neural connection within the brain of an adult female fruit fly. The research team, supported by the NIH Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, produced a map that detailed more than 50 million connections between nearly 140,000 neurons. She highlighted how these discoveries are critical in advancing the understanding of human brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and addiction.

Urge Congress to Support the BRAIN Initiative in 2025  

Urge your senators and representatives in Congress to support the BRAIN Initiative by maintaining or exceeding the total Senate-proposed funding level of $680.4 million. As Congress looks to potentially finalize FY 2025 appropriations by the end of this year, it is critical to urge policymakers to provide sufficient discretionary appropriations to allow the groundbreaking research of the BRAIN Initiative to continue.

Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Release BRAIN Initiative Podcast Episode

Listen to a recent episode of From Our Neurons to Yours, a podcast by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford University focusing on the BRAIN Initiative. In the episode, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Founding Director Bill Newsome, PhD, discusses the accomplishments of the BRAIN Initiative, paints a promising picture for the future of BRAIN, and discusses the implications of the recent budget cuts to the BRAIN Initiative. 

AAALAC International Seeks Public Comment on New Position Statements

Submit comments to AAALAC International on its newly released position statements on the Culture of Care and The 3Rs. AALAC’s Committee on Accreditation Standards is responsible for reviewing current standards, determining which ones are outdated, and potentially identifying new standards. Seeking public comment on updated position statements is a part of this process. The public comment period is open through Thursday, November 21.

• 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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