Science Policy
Drs. John Chatham, Sue Barman, Joey Granger, and Peter Wagner in front of Building 1 at the NIH.APS leadership visits Capitol Hill with Science Policy Director Alice Ra'anan (2011).APS Director Marty Frank (3rd from left) with Rep. Howard Berman (2nd from right)APS works with the National Institutes of Health on a number of key policy issues. (Image from NIH)APS Science Policy Committee during a 2009 trip to Capitol Hill.APS advocates for sustainable growth of the National Science Foundation budget. (Image from NSF)APS leadership after a 2010 meeting with NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research Sally Rockey.APS offers information on current issues surrounding animal research and why it is important.ACE Committee Chair Bill Yates (right) shares a laugh with Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA, left).Science Policy Director Alice Ra’anan accepts Distinguished Service Award from Faith Wolfe of States United for Biomedical Research in 2011.APS Science Policy Committee Members Meena Rao, Jennifer Uno, and Jim Galligan at the CapitolAPS members Kevin Kregel (left) and Bill Talman (right) meeting with Senator Grassley (R-IA) (2007)APS President Hannah Carey testifies on FY 2008 NIH funding before the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. The Science Policy Office covers issues that affect scientists and their work such as federal research funding and animals research. Check out our pages for background information, action alerts, and insights into becoming an advocate for medical research. Subscribe to our RSS feed for news and updates.

News & Updates

Current Legislative Alerts

Respond to these active alerts to make your voice heard today.

APS Incorporates ILAR, NC3Rs Guidance on Animal Studies in Instructions for Authors

The APS Publications Committee has updated requirements for reporting studies involving animals in light of two recent reports.

Decline in NIH’s Purchasing Power Continues

FASEB’s Office of Public Affairs has posted a PowerPoint on trends in NIH research funding over the period FYs 1995–2012. The presentation shows that when adjusted for biomedical inflation, the NIH budget has been declining since FY 2003. The real purchasing power of NIH’s budget in FY 2012 will be less than it was in FY 2002.

Research Chimpanzee Colony is Valuable Resource

Chimpanzees in biomedical research colonies are “responsibly managed, well-regulated, and offer a resource of international value that benefits the health of humans and supports wild ape conservation efforts,” the APS told the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

Science Board Revisits NSF Merit Review Criteria

On January 10, 2012, the National Science Board (NSF) released recommendations on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Merit Review Criteria. The Board made no changes to the criteria themselves but told NSF to provide definitions articulating the essential elements of the criteria.

NIH Update at EB 2012

Officials from several National Institutes of Health (NIH) ICDs will provide an update on research programs and policies at EB 2012 in San Diego. The session entitled “National Institutes of Health: Programs and Policies Update from Institutes” will take place from 2–4 PM on Tuesday, April 24 in Room 1A of the San Diego Convention Center.

APS Urges Public-Private Partnership on Public Access

APS submitted comments to a Request for Information from the Office of Science and Technology Policy concerning public access to peer-reviewed scholarly publications resulting from federally-funded research. In its comments, APS recommended that federal agencies “work in a collaborative manner with all stakeholders to develop an approach [to public access] that balances competing interests, ensures the rights of copyright owners, and provides for continued growth an innovation in scientific communication.”

NIH Creates NCATS, Dissolves NCRR, Reorganizes NIGMS

NIH has established a new National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. APS outlines the details of the new Center and the new homes of programs previously housed in the National Center for Research Resources.

Congress Finalizes FY 2012 Research Budgets

On December 17, 2011, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill containing fiscal year (FY) 2012 funding for most of the federal government, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and VA medical and prosthetic research.

APS Leadership Meets with NIH Officials

On October 19, 2011, APS President Joey Granger, President-elect Sue Barman, Past President Peter Wagner and Science Policy Chair John Chatham met with officials at the NIH to discuss several issues of concern to APS members.

Additional Chimpanzee Research Guidelines Offered by IOM Panel

On December 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its long-awaited report, “Assessing the Necessity of Chimpanzees in Biomedical and Behavioral Research.” Following a briefing where the key findings were presented, NIH Director Francis Collins announced that NIH accepted the report and would begin implementing its recommendations.

APS Comments on Proposed Revisions to Human Subjects Protections

The APS responded to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking issued by the Department of Health and Human Services entitled Human Subjects Research Protections: Enhancing Protections for Research Subjects and Reducing Burden, Delay, and Ambiguity for Investigators.

APS Comments on Managing NIH Resources

In response to a request for input from the NIH on how best to manage resources in fiscally challenging times, the APS submitted a response recommending that the NIH consider the long term consequences of any changes to funding policy and focus on maintaining success rates at a level of at least 30%. APS also recommended using a diversity of approaches to alleviating the funding crunch, and continuing to prioritize funding for early stage investigators. (PDF)

APS Comments on Biomedical Workforce

In response to a request for information from the National Institutes of Health, APS submitted comments to the working group of the Advisory Committee to the Director that is examining the future of the biomedical workforce. (PDF)

Congress Works to Rein in Federal Spending

The recently passed Budget Control Act will essentially freeze the budget at fiscal year 2011 levels for the next two years to allow the economy time to recover before imposing funding cuts.

APS Comments on the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011

The APS sent a letter to cosponsors of the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011 (HR 2256) asking them to allow the NIH program to replace Class B dealers to come to fruition instead of implementing an immediate ban. (PDF)

APS Comments on OEG Ethics Regulation

The Office of Government Ethics proposed to change existing regulations such that federal employees would no longer have to obtain waivers to participate on non-profit boards as long as they comply with all conflict of interest rules set forth by their agency. The APS submitted comments in support of the rule change. (PDF)

Highlights of EU Directive 2010/63

An article by article summary of EU Directive 2010/63 on animal welfare.

APS Announces New Position Statements on Animals in Research

APS has posted two new position statements on animals in research: “Animal Research is Essential to the Search for Cures” and an updated “Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research and Training.”

Advocacy

Advocacy Resource Kit

Tips, talking points, and more ways you can stand up for science!

Why Advocate for Biomedical Research?

Biomedical research benefits us in many different ways. In order for it to continue to do so, it needs support from government and the public.

How to Contact Congress

Step-by-step tips for getting in touch with your legislators.

Funding

President Proposes Flat Budget for NIH, Increase for NSF

President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget recommendations announced February 13, 2012 include flat funding for the National Institutes of Health and a 4.8% increase for the National Science Foundation. Medical and Prosthetic Research at the Department of Veterans Affairs would be increased by 0.3%.

APS Comments on Managing NIH Resources

In response to a request for input from the NIH on how best to manage resources in fiscally challenging times, the APS submitted a response recommending that the NIH consider the long term consequences of any changes to funding policy and focus on maintaining success rates at a level of at least 30%. APS also recommended using a diversity of approaches to alleviating the funding crunch, and continuing to prioritize funding for early stage investigators. (PDF)

Congress Works to Rein in Federal Spending

The recently passed Budget Control Act will essentially freeze the budget at fiscal year 2011 levels for the next two years to allow the economy time to recover before imposing funding cuts.

Funding Advocacy Sites

Links to organizations with helpful research funding advocacy resources.

Animal Research

APS Position Statements on Animals in Research

The APS Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Animals in Research and other official positions on matters related to animal research.

Current Topics in Animal Research

Updates and analysis of current issues surrounding animal research.

Security Concerns

Resources for facing animal rights extremists.

Animal Research Publications

Materials developed by APS to help both researchers and the public.

Regulation of Animal Research in the U.S.

Animal research is subject to a number of layers of regulation and oversight.

Government and Other Oversight Resources

Information on animal research oversight and regulation.

Who makes sure research animals are treated well?

A page from our animal research FAQ, "Animal Research: Finding Cures, Saving Lives," on animal research regulation in the United States.

Agency Policy

NIH Update at EB 2012

Officials from several National Institutes of Health (NIH) ICDs will provide an update on research programs and policies at EB 2012 in San Diego. The session entitled “National Institutes of Health: Programs and Policies Update from Institutes” will take place from 2–4 PM on Tuesday, April 24 in Room 1A of the San Diego Convention Center.

Science Board Revisits NSF Merit Review Criteria

On January 10, 2012, the National Science Board (NSF) released recommendations on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Merit Review Criteria. The Board made no changes to the criteria themselves but told NSF to provide definitions articulating the essential elements of the criteria.

National Science Foundation’s Merit Review Criteria: Review and Revisions

The National Science Board's full report of recommendations on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Merit Review Criteria.(PDF)

APS Urges Public-Private Partnership on Public Access

On January 11, 2012, APS submitted comments to a Request for Information from the Office of Science and Technology Policy concerning public access to peer-reviewed scholarly publications resulting from federally-funded research. In its comments, APS recommended that federal agencies “work in a collaborative manner with all stakeholders to develop an approach [to public access] that balances competing interests, ensures the rights of copyright owners, and provides for continued growth an innovation in scientific communication.”
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