Emerging and Early Career Professionals Sought to Join the Leadership Team of the BIOFAIR Data Network Project
The Biodiversity Collections Network (BCoN), in collaboration with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and with support from the National Science Foundation (Award No. 2303588), is organizing a community discussion series, entitled "Building an Integrated, Open, Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (BIOFAIR) Data Network." Critical to this effort is engaging the next generation of biodiversity professionals. Please share this open call to recruit emerging and early career professionals to join the leadership team in facilitating these discussions.
BCoN is recruiting three (3) emerging professionals (EP; current Master's and PhD students) and three (3) early career professionals (ECP; within 2 years of completing a Master's or PhD) to join the core Steering Committee to catalyze cross-domain discussions, identify a set of shared biodiversity data needs and goals, and define the next steps, shared milestones, and a collaborative plan that will inform cross-domain integration of digital data and scientific research. All members of the Steering Committee will facilitate and participate in a series of online discussions to engage an expansive set of stakeholders with the goal of building novel, timely collaborations to synergize the development of an integrated, open, FAIR biological and environmental data network.
During the course of the two-year project, EP and ECP Steering Committee Members will gain mentored experience planning and executing interdisciplinary meetings, facilitating productive discussions, summarizing meeting outcomes, generating professional reports, and writing collaborative synthesis manuscripts. This is an opportunity for EP and ECP Steering Committee Members to receive timely training in team science and inclusivity; to serve as active participants in a collaborative network of scientists with diverse experiences and expertise; work directly with leaders from across the biodiversity sciences; and engage with diverse stakeholders to establish common ground and align approaches towards a common goal. Experience and training in such skills are increasingly valuable in an interdisciplinary and team science environment.
A modest $1,500 honorarium will be provided for the two-year commitment. We recognize that while the EP and ECP members will bring unique perspectives and contributions to the project, they may also be navigating new professional spaces. The modest honorarium is provided in recognition that emerging professionals might not otherwise have the resources or time to be engaged in such an effort.
Application deadline is September 15, 2023. Learn more about this opportunity, including eligibility requirements, responsibilities, and how to apply.
Applicants from historically excluded communities and people of all racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
White House Releases R&D Priorities for FY 2025
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have released their annual research and development (R&D) priorities memorandum that provides guidance to federal agencies as they develop their budget requests for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
The memo builds on the White House's research priorities from last year and highlights the following issues:
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Advancing "trustworthy" artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate progress, noting that "the choices we make in the coming years about advancing and using AI will have important consequences for civil rights and civil liberties, safety and security, jobs and the economy, and democratic values."
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Addressing the climate crisis "by harnessing the power of nature, reimagining and updating our infrastructure, strengthening and protecting the health of communities, lowering energy costs for families, protecting biodiversity, and creating good-paying jobs here in the United States."
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Leading on issues of global security, including advancing critical and emerging technology areas (microelectronics, biotechnology, advanced materials, etc.) and mitigating emerging and evolving national security risks, such as those associated with biosafety, biosecurity, and nuclear weapons.
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Achieving better health outcomes for Americans, including by robustly funding the Cancer Moonshot initiative; bolstering our capacity to mitigate current and emerging health threats, including addressing antimicrobial resistance and identifying and eliminating infectious disease outbreaks before they become pandemics; and advancing environmental justice.
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Reducing barriers and inequities by supporting regional innovation and workforce development in STEM "with an emphasis on emerging research institutions and historically underserved communities," and by broadening public participation in regulatory and civic processes and in R&D.
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Improving "our richly complex research system," including by bolstering support for both basic and applied research; assisting emerging research institutions to compete effectively for federal funding; providing support to both the industrial and academic sectors in addressing research security challenges; and building the infrastructure and capacity for providing free, immediate, and equitable public access to federally-funded research results. Notably, the Administration urges agencies to experiment with different funding processes and try "new approaches such as streamlining processes to minimize administrative burdens, engaging new R&D performers, exploring new R&D methods, and forging new partnerships."
- Strengthening applied, technological, and industrial R&D to bolster global and economic competitiveness.
Read the memo.
Public Comments Requested on Government-Wide Grantee Disclosure Forms
The National Science Foundation (NSF), on behalf of the National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Research Security Subcommittee, is requesting public comments on draft common disclosure forms that researchers would be required to use when applying for federal research grants or cooperative agreements.
The NSTC Research Security Subcommittee has been working for the past several months to develop common grantee disclosure forms in response to the National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) implementation guidance. NSPM-33 is intended to "provide clarity regarding disclosure requirements (e.g., who discloses what, relevant limitations and exclusions), disclosure process (e.g., updates, corrections, certification, and provision of supporting documentation), and expected degree of cross-agency uniformity."
The latest drafts of the common disclosure forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support sections of federal grant applications can be found here. These forms are intended to clarify what is expected of senior personnel applying for research funding from federal research funding agencies.
Also available is a summary table that lists comments submitted last year in response to initial versions of these forms and how these have been addressed in the current revised versions. Among the revisions is that disclosures of in-kind contributions are now only required if the estimated dollar value of the contributions is $5,000 or more.
Written comments must be received by September 11, 2023. Details about how to submit comments can be found here.
National Fossil Day is October 11
National Fossil Day, an annual celebration organized by the National Park Service (NPS), will take place on October 11, 2023. The event highlights the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations.
The 14th annual celebration will include paleontology activities planned by partner organizations across the United States. AIBS partners with the National Park Service every year to promote the event.
NPS and National Fossil Day partners are sponsoring an art contest as a part of the celebration. The contest theme is "The Rise of Ancient Life in our National Parks and Monuments." In recognition of the amazingly preserved marine invertebrates and vertebrates found deep within Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, our theme this year celebrates the diversity of life that existed during the Paleozoic era. Entries can be submitted until September 29, 2023. Learn more about how to participate.
The participation of local museums, universities, and other scientific organizations is central to National Fossil Day. Help your local community learn about local paleontological and natural resources by participating in the event. To join NPS as a partner, visit their website.
Enter the 13th Annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest
Enter the Faces of Biology Photo Contest for a chance to win $250 and to have your photo appear on the cover of the journal BioScience.
The competition recognizes scientists who use imagery to communicate aspects of biological research to the public and policymakers. Once again, this year's competition is sponsored by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in addition to the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS).
"Photography is one of many excellent tools scientists have to showcase their work to new audiences, including policymakers and the public," said Scott Glisson, CEO of AIBS. "AIBS remains committed to strengthening scientists' ability to communicate with broad audiences. An important part of that effort has been supporting this artful approach to sharing their research."
The theme of the contest is "Faces of Biology." Photographs entered into the competition must depict a person, such as a scientist, technician, or student, engaging in biological research. The depicted research may occur outside, in a lab, with a natural history collection, on a computer, in a classroom, or elsewhere.
The winning photos from the 2022 contest were featured in the April 2023 issue of BioScience.
Submissions must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30, 2023. For more information or to enter the contest, visit our website.
Short Takes
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Applications are currently open for the 2024 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology (S&T) Policy Graduate Fellowship Program. The National Academies are seeking current graduate students or recent graduates who are interested in exploring career options outside of academia or industry. A typical candidate is in the final years of their PhD program or has defended their thesis within the past five years. The Fellowship provides an opportunity to spend time in Washington, DC, learn about science policy, and network with science and technology policy experts. International students, individuals with under-represented backgrounds, and/or those with demonstrated interest in taking science, engineering, and medicine beyond the lab are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is October 16, 2023.
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The National Academies are seeking experts to be considered for the membership rotation with the Ocean Studies Board (OSB). The OSB explores the science, policies, and infrastructure needed to understand, manage, and conserve coastal and marine environments and resources. Nominations are requested for individuals with expertise in areas and disciplines such as ocean industries, ocean technologies, ocean conservation and/or sustainable development, and other relevant areas of ocean studies. The deadline to submit nominations is August 30, 2023.
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The National Academies are seeking experts to participate in a workshop on communicating effectively with the general public about scientific research that involves the care and use of animals. Using these suggestions, the National Academies will form a committee to organize the workshop, which will cover topics such as effective communication methods, integration of scientific information by media outlets, assessment of successful communication, and specific challenges related to animal research comprehension. Nominations are requested by September 5, 2023.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a factsheet celebrating the first anniversary of the CHIPS and Science Act. The factsheet details NSF's work so far in realizing the vision of the landmark legislation. This includes the investments in use-inspired research and innovation made by its newly established Technology, Innovations, and Partnership (TIP) Directorate, which was codified by the law. The factsheet also highlights NSF's Regional Innovation Engines program, and its work to enhance research security and improve diversity in the STEM workforce.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from August 14 to 25, 2023.
Agency for International Development
Commerce
Energy
Environmental Protection Agency
Health and Human Services
National Science Foundation
Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center
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This tool is made possible through contributions from the Society for the Study of Evolution and the Botanical Society of America. AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators to become policy advocates today. Subscribe now to get started.