FABBS reports on items of interest to many communities – scientists, policymakers, and the public. In our news, you will see updates on science funding and policy, articles that translate research for policy, and descriptions of the research contributions of scientists at all stages of their research careers.
NIH Advisory Committee to the Director Meets and FABBS submits Comments to NIMH
June 27, 2019
The NIH’s Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) convened in June for a packed agenda including updates on the BRAIN Initiative, sexual harassment policies, as well as the federal budget, artificial intelligence, diversity in the workforce, and vaccines.
The BRAIN Initiative co-chairs presented their final report “From Cells to Circuits, Towards Cures.” In the summary of the presentation, co-chairs indicated that BRAIN 2.0 will include an ‘added emphasis on behavior
read moreProgress and Uncertainty in the Federal Budget Process
June 27, 2019
As we approach the July 4 recess, the House continues to make progress on appropriations bills while the Senate continues to contemplate top line numbers and the White House floats the idea of a one-year continuing resolution at FY 2019 budget levels.
Earlier this month, and after lengthy discussion on possible amendments, the House passed the first four-bill “minibus” spending package (H.R. 2740) that included both the National Institutes of Health and the Institute of
read moreWhite House Proposes Terminating Federal Advisory Committees
June 27, 2019
On June 14, the President released an Executive Order on Evaluating and Improving the Utility of Federal Advisory Committees. The order has been met with a combination of confusion and concern from the scientific community.
The proposal to evaluate the usefulness of current advisory committees is a reasonable one. However, the Executive Order states specific numbers and cuts, and provides no justification. Namely, agencies are ordered to ‘terminate at least one-third’
read moreCongress Examines Foreign Influences in Taxpayer Funded Research
June 27, 2019
The issue of foreign influence in taxpayer-funded research has been a growing concern in Washington, DC in recent years. On June 5, the Senate Finance Committee convened a hearing, “Foreign Threats to Taxpayer-Funded Research: Oversight Opportunities and Policy Solutions” to better understand the risks and consider possible solutions. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) raised this issue last fall in a letter to the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In
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