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 (right) with Rep. Howard Berman (2nd from left)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.
The APS submitted comments in response to a request for information from the National Institutes of Health about implementing recommendations from the working group on the biomedical workforce. (PDF)
President Obama released his FY 2014 budget plan with ambitious increases for most biomedical research funding agencies.
On March 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law a package of legislation (H.R. 933) that will fund federal programs through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2013, including research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA and Medical and Prosthetic Research at the VA.
The APS supports NIH’s efforts to utilize a science-based approach to resolve issues related to future research and care of chimpanzees, President Dr. Susan M. Barman said in a letter to Dr. James Anderson, Director of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. Nevertheless, the APS concluded that the report was “deeply flawed.”
This EB session will feature representatives of the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation who will provide updates on existing programs, address new initiatives and research priorities at their agencies, and outline plans for future activities and emerging opportunities for researchers.
Although scientists understand the importance of advocacy, some may not know how to get started or lack the time to initiate or undertake their own advocacy programs. This symposium gives researchers some practical tips and tools for getting started and help them understand where the most accessible opportunities are.
On January 1, 2013, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8) with broad bipartisan support. Passage of this legislation prevents the country from going over the “fiscal cliff”, a term widely used to describe the effects of a set of tax increases and spending cuts that were scheduled to go into effect on January 2, 2013.
A last-minute push to bring the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act (GAPCSA) to the Senate floor during the lame duck session hit a roadblock when Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced that he had placed a “hold” on the bill.
On October 26, APS President Sue Barman sent letters thanking the CEOs of UPS and FedEx for their companies’ continued shipments of research animals. Recent campaigns by animal rights groups have sought to pressure various carriers to curtail the shipment of various species. In her letters, Dr. Barman points out the many layers of protection in place to ensure the humane treatment of research animals. She also underscores the fact that biomedical research involving animals is intended to relieve suffering by finding cures for disease.
Online versions and a text summary of the presentations given at the EB2012 Animal research& Public Outreach symposium. The symposium featured insights into public outreach from a researcher, a laboratory animal veterinarian, and a media relations expert, each one experienced in standing up to animal rights tactics.
The APS Publications Committee has updated requirements for reporting studies involving animals in light of two recent reports.
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.”
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)
The APS Early Career Advocacy Fellowship program seeks to engage early career investigators in advocacy activities and provide them with skills to become long-term advocates for scientific research.
Tips, talking points, and more ways you can stand up for science!
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.
Step-by-step tips for getting in touch with your legislators.
President Obama released his FY 2014 budget plan with ambitious increases for most biomedical research funding agencies.
The 113
th Congress will provide no major power shifts in Washington. Democrats gained a few seats in each chamber, and there are changes in the leaders and members of some key committees.
On January 1, 2013, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8) with broad bipartisan support. Passage of this legislation prevents the country from going over the “fiscal cliff”, a term widely used to describe the effects of a set of tax increases and spending cuts that were scheduled to go into effect on January 2, 2013.
As summer arrived, a bitterly divided Congress continued its work on legislation to fund the federal government in FY 2013 including the research budgets of the NIH, the NSF, NASA, and VA medical and prosthetic research.
The APS supports the humane use of animals in medical research. Medical research is beneficial to humans as well as other animals, and certain kinds of questions can only be answered through animal studies.
The APS Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Animals in Research and other official positions on matters related to animal research.
Updates and analysis of current issues surrounding animal research.
Resources for facing animal rights extremists.
Materials developed by APS to help both researchers and the public.
Animal research is subject to a number of layers of regulation and oversight.
Information on animal research oversight and regulation.
A page from our animal research FAQ, "Animal Research: Finding Cures, Saving Lives," on animal research regulation in the United States.
On October 2, 2012 the APS President Sue Barman, Science Policy Chair John Chatham, and members of the Science Policy Committee met with leadership at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), including Director Dr. Gary Gibbons. Prior to the meeting the committee submitted a list of discussion questions to NHLBI. The following are the responses.
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.
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.
The National Science Board's full report of recommendations on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Merit Review Criteria.(PDF)