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.
President’s Budget Released, Eyes Turn to Congress
February 12, 2020
On February 10th, the administration kicked off the annual federal budgeting process by releasing a proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2021. For the fourth straight year, President Donald Trump proposed sizable reductions in federal research budgets of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Congress has not only rejected similar proposed cuts in the past, but also provided
read moreClinical Trial Definition Continues to Cause Confusion
February 12, 2020
Towards the end of January, FABBS started receiving emails from worried researchers saying their proposals to NIH had been withdrawn before review because they were not classified as clinical trials, and perception was that they should have been. As readers may recall, in October 2014, NIH expanded their definition of clinical trials to include Basic Experimental Studies involving Humans (BESH). While the enforcement of registration in grants.gov for BESH had been
read moreNIMH Strategic Plan Update, New BRAIN Initiative Director
February 12, 2020
The Advisory Council for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) met on Tuesday, February 4. NIMH is currently in the process of updating their strategic plan. A request for feedback went out to the community on December 2, 2019 with comments due on January 1, 2020. NIMH then provided an two additional weeks to comment, pushing back their timeline to present their revisions to Council to their next meeting on May 19th, 2020.
Dr. Gordon, NIMH Director, explained
read moreFABBS Responds to OSTP RFI on Research Environments
January 29, 2020
FABBS submitted comments in response to a request from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on the American research environment. FABBS articulated the importance of and encouraged reliable federal funding for science agencies, filling key leadership positions, and recommended reinstating a key committee on human subjects.
FABBS President-elect Philip Rubin, who previously served as both Principal Assistant Director for Science
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