OSTP Issues Pandemic Preparedness Plan

September 22, 2021

On Sept. 2, the Biden administration released American Pandemic Preparedness: Transforming Our Capabilities, a $65 billion plan – invested over 10 years-  to address future pandemics. The preparedness strategy includes five main pillars: Transforming our Medical Defenses; Ensuring Situational Awareness; Strengthening Public Health Systems; Building Core Capabilities; Managing the Mission. 

The memo credits the speed of

White House Publishes FY 2023 Budget Memo

On August 27, the White House released a Memorandum on R&D Priorities for the FY 2023 Budget providing guidance to federal agencies as they develop budget requests. The memo listed pandemic readiness and prevention, climate and energy, emerging technology, equity in STEM, and national security and resilience. This is an important piece of the budget development process as federal agencies submit proposals to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and analysts work with federal agencies

Bipartisan Group Forms Congressional Caucus on Social Determinants of Health

September 8, 2021

Earlier this summer, a bipartisan group of legislators announced a new congressional caucus to address the social determinants of health – non-medical factors that impact health. Led by Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Markwayne Mullin (R-IN), the formation of the caucus followed the spring introduction of legislation – Social Determinants Accelerator Act (HR 2503).

Federal Budget Process Shows Promising Signs for Research Funding

July 15, 2021

While attention in Congress remains focused on major infrastructure spending proposals, the annual appropriations process continues to move forward, with encouraging signs for federal research investment. On July 13, the House Appropriations Subcommittees considered spending bills that include the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The full Committee meets to consider the legislation on July