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 CenterAction Alerts
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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. Join fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to protect congressionally approved funding for biomedical research and the scientific workforce and ensure reliable funding continues uninterrupted.
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Urge Congress to Support Neuroscience in FY 2026
Join fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to support neuroscience priorities and increase research funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Advocates are asking for increases for existing Institutes and Centers at NIH, the BRAIN Initiative, NSF, and the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program which would demonstrate the congressional commitment to scientific research and discovery.
SfN 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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Senate Appropriations Leaders Announce Hearing on Biomedical Research
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a two-part full committee hearing series, “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation.” On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold the first hearing in the series, which will feature researchers and stakeholder groups to discuss the importance of U.S. biomedical research for the nation’s health and economy.
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Research!America Statement on Devastating Staff Cuts at HHS Endangering Americans' Health, Prosperity
Research!America issued a statement expressing alarm about the impact on medical and public health progress of mass layoffs and individual firings of key personnel reported at HHS agencies, slowing our progress toward new treatments for patients and weakening our global leadership in science.
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Research!America Statement on the Confirmation of Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD as NIH Director
Research!America issued a statement congratulating Dr. Bhattacharya on becoming the 17th Director of NIH and is confident in his ability to put research to work at a previously unimagined scale against the host of diseases robbing Americans of health, hope, and time.
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CHF Statement on HHS’ Reorganization and Mass Firing of Staff
The Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) issued a statement following the administration’s recent actions to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services, freeze funding, and dismantle essential programs that protect public health. CHF calls on the administration to work with Congress and the health care community to improve the workings of our agencies to make them more effective, efficient, and better deliver care to the American public.
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CHF Statement Regarding the Need to Fully Protect Vital Health Care Programs
The Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) issued a statement following the full-year continuing resolution stating they are deeply concerned about the state of health funding and continued efforts to cut valuable prevention, health, and research programs that do not reflect bipartisan consensus on funding priorities.
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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.
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