Weekly Advocacy News Roundup
News
Inside McConnell's Plan to Avert a Government Shutdown
August 9, 2015 | The Hill
When Congress returns in September, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) aims to avoid a government shutdown without going over the current budget caps. Government funding will expire on September 30 unless a spending agreement is reached.
- Visit the sequestration action page to learn about the impact of budget cuts on biomedical research funding at SfN.org.
Bold New Brain Research in Neuroengineering, Brain-Inspired Design, and Individuality
August 12, 2015 | National Science Foundation
NSF announced $13.1 million of funding for 16 new awards as part of their support for integrative, fundamental brain research and the BRAIN Initiative. The projects address a variety of questions that help address the BRAIN Initiative's goal of answering fundamental questions about how the brain works.
- Read more about the BRAIN Initiative and its goals at BrainFacts.org.
Tekes CEO: Cuts in Science Funding Will Chip Away at Our Strengths
August 12, 2015 | Helsinki Times
The director general of the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes) states that proposed cuts in science funding will hurt the competitiveness of Finland. The Government is planning to cut the funding of Tekes by €138 million, including cuts to research and development funding and to science centers.
- Register now for a webinar about international advocacy at Neuronline.org.
Articles of Interest
Mysteries of the Brain: Building a Brain
August 11, 2015 | National Science Foundation
Carlos Aizenman, a neuroscientist at Brown University, is studying the brains of tadpoles to understand how neural circuits develop and absorb information from the surrounding environment.
- Learn more about how the brain develops at BrainFacts.org.
Brain Risk Seen in Early Age Football
August 11, 2015 | Boston Globe
A new study on former NFL players found that those who began playing tackle football before the age of 12 faced a higher risk of altered brain development than those who waited until they were older. Although the study has limitations, this is the first potential evidence linking repetitive head impacts early in life and structural brain changes later in life.
- Attend this year's Public Advocacy Forum at Neuroscience 2015 to learn more about concussions.
Opinion
Saving Lives in the 21st Century and Beyond
July 31, 2015 | Roll Call
Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America, discusses the potential of the 21st Century Cures legislation that was passed by the House of Representatives in July which aims to accelerate development of new therapies. She also discusses the importance of advancing the legislation in the Senate and signing it in to law.
- Join the Advocacy Network to receive action alerts on issues important to neuroscience research at SfN.org.
The Future of Science Will be Upon us Soon
August 12, 2015 | Nature News
The European Commission previously sought input on Science 2.0, a plan that aimed to revisit two main pillars of science: research papers and single-investigator grants. The plan was met with skepticism by scientists, but this column discusses potential benefits of this plan.
- Find information about global advocacy programs at SfN.org.
