Advocacy Response to Recent Actions by the U.S. Administration
Stay informed on the latest actions from the administration affecting NIH and federal funding. SfN, along with its coalition partners, is actively engaged on these issues.
Action Center
Stay informed and take action on issues that impact neuroscience.
Take Action CenterSfN Statements
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Statement on the NIH Imposed Standard Indirect Cost Rate
On February 7th, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that effective immediately, all NIH grants must have a maximum indirect cost rate of 15% in lieu of the normal rates defined in an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.
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Urge Congress to Protect Biomedical Research
Recent actions such as federal communication restrictions, funding freezes, and a new uncertain landscape for federal employees have left neuroscientists who receive funding through federal grants concerned about whether their important work will continue or be significantly hampered.
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Call to End Freeze on Federal Grants
The White House pause on federal grants is unprecedented and highly disruptive to the entire scientific community. The Administration has frozen previously approved and authorized funds, including reimbursements for funds already spent.
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SfN, NIH, and a Healthy Scientific Enterprise
This message was sent to SfN members Thursday, January 23.
"In light of the very recent federal executive actions that affect NIH including a freeze on hiring, study sections, Advisory Council meetings, travel, and communications, I wanted to reach out to all of you today..."
Statements from Coalition Partners
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AIBS Joint Letter on Impacts of Executive Act
The American Institute of Biological Sciences sent a letter to House and Senate leaders signed by scientific societies and organizations urging them to oppose the current Administration’s policies that are harming the U.S. scientific enterprise and threatening the integrity, progress, and global leadership of American science and technology.
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Research!America Statement
Research!America sent leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees a letter signed by 600 organizations and more than 3,500 people across the country speaking with a unified voice in support of the National Institutes of Health.
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AES Opposition to Proposed NIH Funding Cuts, 15% F&A Cap
The American Epilepsy Society (AES) strongly opposes the proposed funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the drastic reduction of facilities and administrative (F&A) cost reimbursements to a 15% cap.
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Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing: The Future of the BRAIN Initiative
Watch a recent briefing (February 20, 2025) co-hosted by the American Brain Coalition, SfN, and others, featuring BRAIN Initiative Director John Ngai, PhD and SfN Past President and GPA Chair Diane Lipscombe, PhD, as the moderator. The briefing focused on how the BRAIN Initiative continues to revolutionize brain science and its profound impact on improving lives, focused on a US Army Veteran patient advocate.
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Facilities and Administrative Costs: What Scientists Need to Know
By Federal government rules, the costs of research supported by grants from NIH are divided into two categories: direct costs for doing the research work and Facilities and Administration (F&A or “indirect costs”) for institutional infrastructure required to conduct the research.
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AAMC Statement on Drastic Cuts to NIH-Funded Research
AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and Chief Scientific Officer Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, MPH, issued the following statement regarding the administration’s announcement of severe cuts in facilities and administrative (also referred to as “indirect”) costs related to grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)...
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Statement from the American Brain Coalition on Dangerous Cuts to NIH Research
The American Brain Coalition is alarmed and dismayed by the administration’s recent announcement that it will make drastic cuts to biomedical research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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United Science Alliance Letter
American science and innovation have advanced humanity for generations. The pursuit of science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives and the health of our planet.
Engage with SfN’s Advocacy Efforts on Social Media
Follow SfN’s social media accounts to stay up to date with the latest advocacy efforts and join the conversation using #neuroadvocate and #neurosky in your own posts.
