May 2024
Urge Congress to Support the BRAIN Initiative in FY 2025
Earlier this year, Congress passed final appropriations for FY 2024, which included deep funding cuts (approximately 40%) to the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. SfN and partners call for ongoing and future efforts to protect neuroscience research funding, including the BRAIN Initiative. Join fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to support at least $740 million in funding for the BRAIN Initiative for FY 2025. Send your representative and senators a message and personalize it by including why robust federal funding for the BRAIN Initiative is critical to your research and necessary to advance the understanding of the brain.
Meet the 2024 Early Career Policy Ambassador Claire Robey on Neuronline
"I am honored to be selected as an ECPA. This program provides a fantastic opportunity to develop the advocacy skills I need to significantly impact my field. I’m eager to augment my knowledge and expertise in science policy, and I also see this as an opportunity to become a resource for my colleagues. I plan to share what I learn in this program and encourage more neuroscientists to get involved in science policy and advocacy," says Robey in a new Neuronline article. Learn more about Robey's research and advocacy projects and stay tuned for more ECPA highlights this year.
SfN Submits FY 2025 Congressional Testimony
The Society for Neuroscience submitted congressional testimony on behalf of SfN President Marina Picciotto to the House and Senate Commerce-Justice-Science and Labor-HHS-Education Appropriation subcommittees on NSF and NIH for FY 2025. The testimony outlines the importance of basic science research, the use of animal models, recent advancements in neuroscience, the importance of the BRAIN Initiative, and the disruption from potential budget cuts and continuing resolutions.
SfN Co-Sponsors Congressional Briefing on the BRAIN Initiative
Last month, in cooperation with the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (CNC), SfN co-sponsored a congressional briefing with The American Brain Coalition, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the Dana Foundation, the Simons Foundation, and The Kavli Foundation highlighting 10 years of the BRAIN Initiative. Expert panelists, including BRAIN Initiative Director John Ngai, PhD, reflected on a decade of cutting-edge research, tool development, greater insights into the brain, and first-in-human trials made possible by the BRAIN Initiative. CNC Co-Chair Representative Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) also shared remarks and expressed support for the BRAIN Initiative.
SfN Leadership Hosts Lab Tour for Senator Lindsey Graham’s Office
Chair of SfN’s Government and Public Affairs Committee and Vice President of Research for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Lori McMahon, PhD, and other representatives from MUSC hosted a lab tour for Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) office. McMahon showcased MUSC’s research on Alzheimer’s disease and engaged in important discussions with staffers about the impacts of robust investment in research. Learn more about hosting a lab tour for your policymaker.
Representative Tom Cole Named New Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Last month, Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) was elected chair of the House Appropriations Committee for the rest of the 118th Congress. Representative Cole previously served as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), which oversees funding for NIH. With Representative Cole now serving as chair, the House Appropriations Committee is shifting its focus towards FY 2025. Join fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to support neuroscience priorities and increase research funding for FY 2025.
Register Now for the 10th Annual BRAIN Initiative Conference June 16–18, Bethesda, Md.
This year's theme shines a spotlight on BRAIN-funded science and innovation, with the conference offering events for scientists of all levels, including the session: BRAIN, Neuroscience, and Beyond: Building Our Early Career Community Sunday, June 16, for early career researchers. Learn more about poster abstracts and scholar spotlight submission deadlines and register now. In-person registration closes Friday, May 31. This event is open to the public. Share this conference with your networks.
Register Now for Research!America’s Early Career Summit
Registration is now open for Reaching the Peak: A Science & Technology Early Career Summit Series. The fourth annual Research!America summit for early career researchers will take place weekly in June. Attendees will explore an array of career paths, network with fellow researchers, participate in professional development workshops, and engage in meaningful discussions around issues critical to the success of the research and development ecosystem.
AAAS Releases New Report About Global Research and Development
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) released a new report about research and development (R&D) in a global context. The report provides an update on major worldwide trends in R&D and related innovation metrics across the major R&D economies, with a focus on American competitiveness. The report relies primarily on new data from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Web of Science’s publication archives, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
- Introduce yourself to the new 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.
