Advocacy Network News
Sign up for the monthly Advocacy Network News to receive the latest science policy developments, advocacy engagement opportunities, and advance advocacy resources right to your inbox.
August 2026
SPOTLIGHT
SfN Comments on Office of Management (OMB) Proposes Changes to Federal Grantmaking Process
SfN, on behalf of President Nicholas C. Spitzer, PhD, submitted comments on OMB's proposed rule, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. SfN’s comments called for a complete withdrawal of the rule and discussed the sections on pre-federal award requirements and contents of federal awards; post-federal award requirements; and cost principles such as attending conferences, paying membership dues, and publishing in professional journals and other peer-reviewed publications.
Share How Recent Federal Actions Are Impacting You
SfN is collecting information from researchers who have been impacted by slowed and delayed grants, and other federal actions.
The Senate voted to pass a continuing resolution (CR) that would block the adoption of OMB’s proposed rule until December 11. The final passage of this bill will require a vote from the House of Representatives, which is out of session until the first week of September. The inclusion of a delay to the OMB proposed rule in the CR is the result of advocacy efforts. Continue the momentum by joining your fellow NeuroAdvocates in telling the House to pass this CR and for Congress to oppose this proposed rule. Here, you can include key points from your comments, and from resources made by other advocates
SfN ADVOCACY
Stay up to date on SfN and Coalition Partners’ advocacy response, with the latest actions, updates, and resources available in the Advocacy Response Center. Learn More
Make the Most of August Recess Advocacy, connect with federal policymakers in their home districts and states, and explore resources to help you get involved, including SfN’s recent webinar on August Recess Advocacy, the Coalition of Health Funding’s in-district toolkit, and SfN’s Advocacy Best Practices. August Recess Advocacy Webinar, In-District Toolkit, and Advocacy Best Practices
If you need more information or you meet with your congressional offices, email advocacy@sfn.org.
See NeuroAdvocates in Action, as SfN Member Karim Ibrahim, PsyD, hosted Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for a lab visit at the Yale Child Study Center, continuing discussions from SfN’s Capitol Hill Day about supporting NIH-funded research and its impact on children’s health. Learn how you can invite your members of Congress to visit your lab. Lab Tour Guide
SfN Member Karim Ibrahim, PsyD, with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and fellow NeuroAdvocates.
ACROSS THE FIELD
Watch the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing, now available to learn how the NIH BRAIN Initiative is accelerating breakthroughs in brain research and delivering real-world impact for patients and families. Watch Now
Learn More About the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) “Science: A New Golden Age” report, which outlines how AI, global competition, and private-sector investment could reshape federal research funding. Read Now
Join Research!America’s learning lunch series, “Bringing Community and Research: Communicating Science Effectively”, on August 19, 12:30 p.m. EDT to gain the perspectives, tools, and networks needed to effectively communicate your science. Register Now
STAY UP TO DATE WITH SfN
Tuesday, September 8: Late-breaking abstract submission opens.
Saturday, November 14–Wednesday, November 18: Neuroscience 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Past Issues
To have the newsletter delivered to your inbox each month, sign in to your member account and opt in to the Advocacy Network.
Join the Advocacy Network
Stay informed and take action on issues that affect your research
