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.
National Academies Releases Report on NSF SBE Research
June 21st, 2017
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently released a report, “The Value of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences to National Priorities: A Report for the National Science Foundation.” According to a Committee member, the report grew out of a conversation with Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees NSF funding.
“The social, behavioral, and economic sciences make significant
read moreNIH Scraps Grant Support Index, Announces Next Generation Researchers Initiative
June 21st, 2017
On June 8, Dr. Francis Collins, Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the agency was tabling immediate implementation of its recently proposed Grant Support Index (GSI) in favor of launching the Next Generation Researchers Initiative.
Originally, NIH had proposed the GSI as a strategy for limiting the total NIH grant support provided to individual principal investigators, thereby making more funds available to support awards for early and mid-career
read moreFiscal Year 2018 Deliberations Proceed
June 21st, 2017
Since the Administration released its proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget last month, Congress has been considering how it can complete the FY 2018 appropriations process before the new fiscal year begins on October 1.
Under normal circumstances, the president’s detailed budget would have been released in February, giving Congress more time to not only consider the president’s proposal, but also to prepare a budget resolution—a step Congress conducts to determine
read morePetition to Support Peer Review Launched
June 21st, 2017
On June 12, the Coalition to Promote Research (CPR) released a petition urging Congress to support the nation’s scientific research enterprise by allowing the federal peer and merit review processes to judge the relevance of research proposals. The goal of the petition is to inform members of Congress about constituent support for good scientific stewardship and peer/merit review.
CPR hopes the petition will persuade members of Congress to oppose any efforts that may
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