Now in BioScience: Bringing Science to State Governments
A new Washington Watch column, Bringing science to State governments, by former AIBS Public Policy Manager Julie Palakovich Carr is now available in BioScience. Palakovich Carr has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2019. Her career in science policy started as a Sea Grant Knauss fellow. The article delves into the growing number of science policy fellowship opportunities around the country at the state level. Below is an excerpt.
"In state capitols around the country, state legislatures are preparing for their 2025 legislative session, most of which will commence in January. In addition to the usual suspects of lawmakers, their aides, lobbyists, and citizen activists are a growing number of scientists who are working at the interface of science and policymaking.
In recent years, numerous programs have been created around the country to bring scientists into state policymaking, whether in the state capitol or in state agencies. Similar to science policy fellowships within the federal government, state-level fellowships provide policymakers access to scientific and technical expertise while training early-career scientists and engineers to work in science policy.
Currently, 21 states are home to a science policy fellowship program. State-level fellowships have grown quickly in recent years. Prior to 2018, there were only three states with a science policy fellowship. Fast forward to 2024, when two programs launched; another 11 states have an entity that has piloted a fellowship or is trying to develop one.
Nationally, at least 530 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and recent graduates have completed state-level fellowships, with 120 fellows serving in 2024."
Congress Begins 119th Session
The 119th Congress began on January 3 with Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) reelected as House Speaker and Senator John Thune (R-SD) assuming the role of Senate Majority Leader.
Both leaders plan to pass President-Elect Trump's energy, security, and tax priorities using the reconciliation process, which will allow them to bypass the Senate filibuster. Congress also faces pressure to complete work on fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations by March 14, which is when the current stopgap funding bill expires. This work may overlap with the start of the next federal budget cycle. The president's budget request for FY 2026 is due in February, though it will like be delayed given the start of a new administration.
The new Congress brings changes to committee leadership, particularly in the Senate, where Republicans gained control. Leadership shifts in key Senate committees with jurisdiction over science are as follows:
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Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) will lead the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will serve as Ranking Member.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee, responsible for allocating money to federal agencies on an annual basis, will be chaired by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) serving as Ranking Member.
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Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) will chair the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and National Park Service (NPS). Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) will serve as Ranking Member.
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Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) will lead the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which oversees the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) as the top Democrat.
- The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which oversees the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will be chaired by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) serving as Ranking Member.
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Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will serve as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, which oversees agricultural research programs.
In the House:
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Representative Brian Babin (R-TX) is now the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which oversees NSF, NASA, NIST, DOE Office of Science, and research at NOAA and EPA. Representative Zoe Lofgren of California will stay on as the top Democrat.
- The House Appropriations Committee will continue to be led by Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
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Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY) will now chair the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees NIH, with Frank Pallone (D-NJ) continuing as Ranking Member.
- Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR) will stay on as Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, with Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) taking over as the Ranking Member. The committee has jurisdiction over USGS, NPS, USFWS, and Bureau of Land Management.
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The House Committee on Agriculture will continue be chaired by Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA), with Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota taking over as the top Democrat.
NIH Updates Public Access Policy; Requests Input on Metadata, PIDs Plan
Last month, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced its updated Public Access Policy to enhance access to publications resulting from NIH-funded research. The revision builds on the 2008 policy and aligns with the 2022 White House directive on Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research.
A key change is the elimination of the 12-month embargo period, making manuscripts publicly available immediately after publication. The policy applies to manuscripts accepted from December 31, 2025 onward. Along with the new policy, NIH also shared supplemental guidance on government use license and rights and publication costs.
Additionally, NIH is requesting public feedback on its proposed plan to improve the findability and transparency of research results through the use of metadata and persistent identifiers (PIDs). The proposal outlines how researchers and institutions should use metadata and PIDs to consistently identify themselves and their research outputs, as well as requirements for NIH-supported data repositories to collect and make relevant metadata publicly available and searchable. Public comments can be submitted until February 21, 2025.
Biden Administration Issues New Visa Rules
The Biden Administration has updated visa policies that could affect STEM workers and students. A new rule from the Department of Homeland Security focuses on "modernizing" the H-1B visa program to help U.S. companies fill critical job vacancies and remain competitive.
Key updates include streamlining approvals, increasing flexibility for employers and workers, and enhancing program integrity. Notably, the rule allows nonprofit and governmental research organizations to hire H-1B workers without being subject to the program's annual cap if they conduct research as a "fundamental activity," not necessarily their primary mission as was previously required.
The rule expands the definition of specialty occupations, or jobs that require highly specialized knowledge, under the H1-B program. Further, H-1B applicants must now hold degrees "directly related" to their jobs, though DHS clarified this requirement allows for a logical connection between the degree and work. The update also extends certain flexibilities for F-1 students transitioning to H-1B visas.
Additionally, the State Department updated the Exchange Visitor Skills List for J-1 visas, removing the requirement for many J-1 holders, including those from China and India, to return to their home countries for two years before applying for another U.S. visa.
Experts Sought for 'On Being A Scientist' Guide Update
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is seeking suggestions for experts to participate in developing an updated edition of On Being a Scientist: An Updated and Online Guide to the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.
The new version will update and expand on the 2009 edition to reflect changes in the current national and international research enterprise relevant to the conduct of research and to address professional conduct that limits or harms research talent and research advancement.
Currently suggestions are sought to build a committee of 10-12 volunteer experts who will lead the overall revision of the guide, in addition to collecting information for potential speakers, participants, and peer reviewers for the publication resulting from the activity. Suggestions are requested by January 24, 2025.
AIBS Selects Winners of 2024 Photo Contest
Three winners have been selected in the 2024 Faces of Biology Photo Contest, sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB).
"The Faces of Biology Photo Contest is more than just a competition; it's an opportunity to capture science through photography, to celebrate creativity, and to connect society with the beauty in biology." said Scott Glisson, CEO of AIBS. "It reminds us that every moment in science is worth preserving, and every scientist has a story to tell."
The competition highlights biological research through impactful, personal imagery, illustrating its diverse forms and settings. By showcasing these visuals, it aims to help the public and policymakers recognize the importance of biological research and education.
A forthcoming issue of the journal BioScience will feature the first-place photograph on the cover and the second- and third-place photos in an article. All of the winners receive a one-year subscription to BioScience. The first place winner will also receive $250.
View the winning photos.
Participate in the 2024 AIBS Congressional Visits Day
Join the American Institute of Biological Sciences on April 28-30, 2025 for our annual Congressional Visits Day in Washington, DC.
Meet with your members of Congress to help them understand the important role the federal government plays in supporting the biological sciences. Advocate for federal investments in biological sciences research supported by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Participants will complete a communications and advocacy training program provided by AIBS that prepares them to be effective advocates for their science. AIBS will provide participants with background information and materials, as well as arrange meetings with lawmakers on April 30.
Who should participate?
Scientists, graduate students, educators, or other science community members who are interested in advocating for scientific research and education are encouraged to participate in this important event.
The ideal participant will:
- Have an interest in science policy.
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Work in a scientific profession or be enrolled in graduate school.
- Be able to speak about the importance of biological research funded by federal agencies (e.g. NSF, NIH, USDA).
- Provide compelling examples from their own experiences.
Training
The event includes a free, half-day training session on how to be an effective advocate for science policy. This training session will be held on April 29, 2025 and is mandatory for everyone who will be participating in congressional meetings.
Additionally, participants have the option to attend the highly acclaimed AIBS Communications Boot Camp for Scientists. This training course will be held in Washington, DC on April 28-29, 2025. This professional development program provides practical instruction and interactive exercises designed to help scientists (e.g. researchers, graduate students, administrators, educators) translate scientific information for non-technical audiences and to effectively engage with decision-makers and the news media. All participants who complete this optional training will receive priority access to the Congressional Visits Day and a certificate of completion indicating that they have successfully completed 16 hours of communications training. Click here for more information, including cost, for this two-day training program.
Registration
Express your interest in participating in the event by registering. Registration closes on March 3, 2025. Space is limited and we encourage you to register early. If registrations exceed program capacity, AIBS may prioritize registrants based on participation in the boot camp training, geographic diversity, and other factors. Register now.
Apply for the IDEA2 Public Policy Fellowship
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) are jointly offering a paid Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accepting, and Accessible (IDEA2) Public Policy Fellowship in the spring-summer of 2025 for current and recent graduate students in the life sciences or a closely related field.
This unique training opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in science policy. The Fellow will have the opportunity to work on a range of science policy projects that could include planning a Capitol Hill science policy briefing, preparing science policy documents, conducting research on science and science education policy initiatives, and attending Congressional and executive branch meetings. The Fellow will work closely with AIBS and SURA policy staff to gain practical experience with science policy and advocacy efforts that inform federal decision-making.
Applicant must be a current graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) student or within two years of completing a graduate degree in the life sciences or a closely related field, who has a strong interest in science policy. The Fellow will have the option to choose between a 10-week remote or a month-long in-person engagement in the spring-summer of 2025. The Fellow will receive a minimum stipend of $3,000, contingent on active participation, with additional support available for in-person participation. Travel expenses will also be covered.
Applications are due no later than 05:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, January 24, 2025. Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply: https://io.aibs.org/idea2fellow
Deadline Approaching: 2025 Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award
Are you a science graduate student looking to make a difference in science policy and funding? AIBS is now accepting applications for the 2025 Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. This award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who are demonstrating an interest and aptitude for working at the intersection of science and policy.
Recipients of the AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award receive:
- A trip to Washington, DC, to participate in the AIBS Congressional Visits Day, an annual event where scientists meet with lawmakers to advocate for federal investment in the biological sciences, with a primary focus on the National Science Foundation. The event will be held on April 28-30, 2025. Domestic travel and hotel expenses are paid for the winners.
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Policy and communications training, including information on the legislative process, trends in federal science funding, and how to engage with policymakers and the news media.
- Meetings with congressional policymakers to discuss the importance of federal investment in the biological sciences.
- A one-year online subscription to the journal BioScience.
The 2025 award is open to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents enrolled in a graduate degree program in the biological sciences, science education, or a closely allied field. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to science policy and/or science education policy. Prior recipients are not eligible for the award.
Applications are due by 05:00 PM Eastern Time on January 15, 2025. Learn more.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from December 30, 2024 to January 10, 2025.
Agriculture
Commerce
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Interior
National Science Foundation