July 2024
Meet the 2024 Early Career Policy Ambassador, Elena Kozina, on Neuronline
Learn more about current Early Career Policy Ambassador (ECPA) Elena Kozina’ s research and advocacy projects. Explore the entire Meet the ECPA collection on Neuronline, SfN’s home for learning and discussion.
Early Career Policy Ambassador Craig McFarland Holds Advocacy Event
Watch the webinar organized by 2024 ECPA Craig McFarland, an undergraduate student at Harvard University, in collaboration with the Dana Foundation Career Network in Neuroscience and Society. The webinar highlighted brain-related policy work, emphasizing the importance of patient advocacy, community engagement, and working with policymakers to support brain research.
Representative McMorris Rodgers Releases NIH Reform Framework
Read the recently released framework of recommendations for new policies at NIH by House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). Key recommendations include combining the current 27 institutes and centers (ICs) into 15 new ICs, initiating a congressionally mandated commission to review NIH’s performance, missions, objectives, and programs, encouraging public-private partnerships, introducing term limits for IC leadership, and requiring ICs to issue biennial reports. SfN will respond to the Committee’s request for comments on the framework and encourages advocates to respond as well. Comments can be sent to NIHReform@mail.house.gov by Friday, August 16.
Representatives DeGette and Bucshon Release Cures 2.0 RFI
Learn more about the recently issued request for information (RFI) by Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) seeking input on advancing the work of the 21st Century Cures Act, and the Cures 2.0 Act, introduced in 2021. This RFI seeks to address key questions: Do the policies in Cures 2.0 meet needs that the bill aimed to address? What other elements are needed for further progress? What additional reforms, support mechanisms, or incentives could enhance or improve the effectiveness of the steps already taken, including any structural reform to agencies, offices, or programs. SfN will respond to the RFI and encourages advocates to respond as well. Submit responses to cures.rfi@mail.house.gov by Friday, August 2.
House Releases NIH and NSF Funding Levels
The House released its Commerce, Justice, and Science bill which includes $9.3 billion for NSF, an increase of $199 million above FY 24 funding levels. The House also released the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill which includes $48.51 billion for NIH, equal to FY 24 funding levels. The bill also includes new structural and policy reforms for NIH, such as consolidating NIH’s existing 27 institutes and centers into 15 new centers, which is in line with a recent proposal by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The report accompanying the bill included SfN’s submitted report language on the importance of NHP models in biomedical research.
SfN Participates in the Congressional Life Science Fair
Last month, SfN participated in the Coalition for Life Sciences and Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Congressional Life Science Fair on Capitol Hill, which showcased how federal investment in biomedical research leads to new cures and advances in improving the health of all Americans. SfN’s booth featured a presentation by local SfN advocate and 2023 ECPA Dylan Scarton on his research related to peripheral nerve regeneration. Continue advocating for the importance of federal investment in biomedical research by urging your members of Congress to support neuroscience research in FY 25.
Register Now: Rally for Medical Research Hill Day
Register for the 12th Annual Rally for Medical Research Hill Day, Thursday, September 19 , in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together patients, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and other advocates together to meet with congressional offices in support of NIH funding. A reception for attendees will be held Wednesday, September 18. Registration closes Wednesday, September 4 .
SfN Advocacy Resources
- 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.
- Learn more about SfN's Early Career Policy Ambassadors .
