Advocacy Network Newsletter

Tell Congress to Pass Appropriations for FY2022 and Reject Future CRs

Join your fellow NeuroAdvocates in urging Congress to reject the use of continuing resolutions by passing FY2022 appropriations packages before the end of current funding, December 3. Send your Representative and Senators a message via SfN’s Advocacy Action Center and personalize it by including why predictable funding for biomedical research is important to you.

NIH Director Announces Resignation

Dr. Francis Collins has announced he is stepping down from his role of NIH director by the end of this year. He is the longest serving NIH director, leading the agency for 12 years spanning over three administrations. Over the course of his leadership, NIH’s budget increased by 38% and a multitude of new initiatives were developed including the BRAIN Initiative. Dr. Collins will continue to lead his laboratory within NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research issued a statement thanking Dr. Collins for his service to the biomedical research community.

The National Science Board Publishes Academic Research and Development Report

The National Science Board (NSB) has published their Science and Engineering Indicators 2022 Academic Research and Development report. The report shows that the federal government remains the largest funder of academic research and development, providing more than half of total funds. Six departments or agencies, including NSF, fund more than 90% of academic research and development. The report also indicates that health and biological and biomedical research at institutions of higher education continues to be a major U.S. strength.

OSTP and NIH Release ARPA-H Stakeholder Feedback Summary

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and NIH have released a summary of the 15 listening sessions that were held over the summer with over 5000 stakeholders and 250 organizations regarding ARPA-H. A set of frequently asked questions on this newly proposed entity were also released. For more information, register for a listening and feedback session being held on October 20 with OSTP and NIH leaders.

European Parliament Vote Threatens Future of Biomedical Research in Europe

The European Parliament adopted a motion on a plan "to accelerate the transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education," threatening the current and future effectiveness of biomedical research in Europe. This vote jeopardizes many of the ongoing studies into the diseases that affect millions of people in Europe, such as COVID-19, cancer, and brain disease. The European Animal Research Association (EARA) released a statement voicing its concerns and SfN will continue to monitor the situation.

The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Awarded to SfN-Affiliated Neuroscientists

Current SfN member, Dr. Ardem Patapoutian of Scripps Research and past SfN member, Dr. David Julius of UCSF were awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries about how heat, cold and touch can initiate signals in the nervous system. Their work, for the first time, allows us to understand how heat, cold and mechanical force can initiate the nerve impulses that allow us to perceive and adapt to the world around us. SfN released a press release congratulating Dr. Patapoutian and Dr. Julius for their incredible achievement and announcements were sent to each of their congressional offices.

National Association for Biomedical Research Hosting Webinar on Animal Research

In recent years there has been much discussion in the research community about IACUC adopting the Harm Benefit Analysis (HBA) in the review and evaluation of the proposed use of animals in biomedical research. Join Jerrold Tannenbaum, Professor Emeritus, School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis for the webinar “Follow the Science! Why the Pursuit of Knowledge – and not “Harm-Benefit Analysis” – is the Key to Scientifically and Ethically Sound Animal Research” as he addresses these concerns. We encourage you to register for this event being held on November 2.

SfN Advocacy Resources

• 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.