December 2022

Apply Now to Be an Early Career Policy Ambassador 

Applications for SfN's Early Career Policy Ambassadors (ECPA) Program are now open! This 10-month program for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students, as well as recent PhD/MD recipients, allows early career scientists to enhance their advocacy skills with the neuroscience community, policymakers, and the public. Ambassadors gain the necessary skills to advocate for science and to encourage those in their personal networks to join the conversation. Applications are open until Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. 

Still No Deal on FY2023 Appropriations

Leaders on both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are working to finalize a FY2023 omnibus spending bill, but no agreement has been made yet. The federal government is still operating under a continuing resolution (CR) through December 16 and another short-term CR will most likely be necessary to keep the government open and provide more time for lawmakers to come to an agreement before the end of the year. SfN is calling on Congress to pass FY2023 funding legislation in a timely manner and not resort to CRs that stagnate federal funding for biomedical research. View this factsheet to learn why CRs are harmful to NIH-funded research. In addition, send your Representative and Senators a message and personalize it by including why robust and timely federal funding is critical to your research and necessary to advance our understanding of the brain.

ARPA-H Launches Official Website and Social Media 

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has officially launched their website and social media accounts. ARPA-H, based on high-risk, high-reward projects, aims to advance biomedical and health research that cannot be readily accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity. There are multiple ways to engage with ARPA-H such as applying to become a program manager to champion a core idea or applying to receive funding for your project to build the idea for a solution.  

Survey Finds Americans Curious and Optimistic About Brain Health Research 

In a national survey conducted by Research!America and the Dana Foundation, brain health was found to be of serious importance to the American people, with 66% reporting a strong curiosity in learning more about brain health research. The survey also indicated Americans across party lines are strongly in favor of increased federal funding for brain health research (78%) and favor having the federal government incentivize private sector investment to find treatments and cures for diseases (80%), reinforcing the support for advancing brain research.

NASEM Committee on NHP Model Systems Hold Public Session 

The NASEM Committee on the State of the Science and Future Needs for Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Model Systems recently held an open session to the public on engaging NIH institutes, offices, and centers in discussions on opportunities and challenges for NHP research. Also discussed was mechanisms for meeting current and future needs and exploring current examples and future opportunities for collaboration between NHP researchers and those using new approach methodologies to complement NHP research, increase the value of the models, and reduce reliance on NHPs where feasible. You can watch the recording of the session here.

Listen to the Latest Episode of GetReal!

In the newest episode of GetReal!, Dr. Cindy Buckmaster is joined by a member of the Inotiv team who will share details on the final inspection report released by the USDA that revealed no serious animal health concerns at the Envigo/Inotiv research dog breeding facility in Cumberland, VA. Learn why the facility still closed and how this will impact public health moving forward.

NIDA Summer Research Internship Program Application Opening Soon 

The NIDA Summer Research Internship Program supports undergraduate students with a focus on increasing underrepresented scholars interested in substance use and addiction research. Students work with leading scientists for eight weeks during the summer and receive a stipend. The internship may be virtual or in-person, and could include laboratory experiments, data collection, data analysis, formal courses, participation in lab meetings, patient interviews, manuscript preparation, and more. Applications will be accepted from January 1, 2023 – February 10, 2023.

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.