AIBS Submits Testimony in Support of FY 2025 Funding for NIH
AIBS has provided testimony to the House Appropriations Committee regarding fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
AIBS urged Congress to provide NIH with a base budget of at least $51.3 billion in FY 2025, arguing that this level of funding is needed to "undo the harmful effects of recent stagnant funding that slowed American scientific discovery." The testimony emphasized that the requested funding "will grow and sustain the U.S. bioeconomy and enable NIH to accelerate work on important initiatives at the frontiers of science and medicine."
AIBS further requested that any additional funding to support the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) should supplement, not supplant, the $51.3 billion recommendation for NIH. "The new agency charged with supporting transformative high-risk, high-reward research must complement, and not interfere with NIH's commitment to funding basic research."
Read the testimony.
FIU Graduate Student Selected for Inaugural IDEA2 Public Policy Fellowship
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) are pleased to announce that Kristine Zikmanis has been selected for the 2024 Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accepting, and Accessible (IDEA2) Public Policy Fellowship. This new professional development opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in science policy.
Kristine Zikmanis is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University. As an ecologist, Zikmanis studies animal behavior and has a strong interest in research at the intersection of ecology and marine policy. She is also passionate about science communication and collaborative research. In 2020, she received the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship, administered by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Coastal Management--an experience that ignited her passion for actionable science. As a NOAA Fellow, she helped scientists and coastal communities understand the challenges that influence future policy and management strategies.
During the summer of 2024, Ms. Zikmanis will work closely with AIBS and SURA policy staff to gain first-hand experience with science policy and advocacy efforts that inform federal decision-making. She will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects, including conducting research for science policy initiatives, monitoring the activities of federal science agencies, and tracking and reporting on legislative developments.
The IDEA2 Public Policy Fellowship is financially supported by AIBS and SURA. Learn more.
Administration Unveils Strategy to Strengthen Global Health Security
In a concerted effort to fortify global health defenses and safeguard against future pandemics, the White House has launched the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, which aims to protect the health, lives, and economic well-being of both Americans and people worldwide.
Recognizing the impact of the pandemic, which resulted in millions of deaths and significant economic losses globally, the Administration noted its commitment to bolstering health security measures. "The United States, together with its international partners, will enhance the prevention, detection, preparation for and response to infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate in origin, across sectors at home and abroad in order for our collective efforts to be more efficient, effective, sustainable, and equitable," reads the strategy's goal statement.
Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and building on progress made since 2019, the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy outlines a "whole-of-government, science-based approach" to enhancing global health security. Key goals of the strategy include:
- Strengthening global health security capacities through bilateral partnerships: Over the next five years, the US will work closely with 50 partner countries to enhance their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to global health threats. This effort will focus on building and sustaining capacity in critical areas, promoting country-led processes, and incorporating gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches.
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Catalyzing political commitment, financing, and leadership: The strategy underscores the importance of sustaining political leadership in health security at all levels. Efforts will include strengthening global policies, supporting institutions for innovation and rapid response, expanding access to medical countermeasures, and accelerating commitments made by G7 countries.
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Increasing linkages between health security and complementary programs: The US will aim to maximize the impact of global health security efforts by integrating and leveraging complementary global programs in health and security; leveraging development programs such as those focused on food security and humanitarian and disaster response; further strengthening a One Health approach, including integrating infectious disease data from human, animal, plant and environment sectors; and enhancing research networks.
In conclusion, the report states, "collectively, these actions and partnerships will help to build a safer future where all people are protected from health security threats, regardless of origin."
NIH Increases Salaries for Postdocs and Ph.D. Students
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a significant salary increase for more than 17,000 postdoctoral researchers and graduate students at NIH-funded external institutions who are recipients of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA). The move is aimed at addressing concerns over poor job prospects and stagnant wages among early-career scientists.
Predoctoral scholars will see a 4% increase to $28,224, while postdoctoral scholars will receive an 8% increase, starting at $61,008. NIH will also allocate additional funds for childcare and training-related expenses. The move aims to attract and retain talent in biomedical research.
The decision comes amidst reports of a postdoc shortage, which prompted NIH to assemble a working group in 2022 to address talent retention issues. Although the current salary increase falls short of the working group's recommendation of a $70,000 minimum salary for postdocs, they allow for immediate adjustments without drastic cuts in awards. NIH plans further increases over the next three to five years, aiming to reach the recommended starting annual pay of $70,000, pending future appropriations.
NIH's decision is expected to influence salary standards in other academic settings, potentially prompting similar adjustments nationwide.
Biden Administration Launches Conservation Database
The Biden Administration's ambitious conservation initiative, dubbed "America the Beautiful," took a step forward with the launch of a new database aimed at detailing progress in safeguarding the nation's lands and waters. However, the newly unveiled website, Conservation.gov, lacks specific information regarding the acreage or waters designated for protection under the initiative.
Jointly managed by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the website serves as a central hub for information on conservation programs nationwide. It also hosts the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, intended to monitor land and water conservation efforts across the country.
Despite the Administration's claim of conserving 41 million acres of land and waters during President Biden's first term, the database remains in a beta format and does not provide a precise tally of protected acreage under the "America the Beautiful" pledge.
The CEQ described the database as a "preliminary framework" for tracking conservation efforts, with plans for further expansion and analysis capabilities over time. "The Atlas is an innovative tool that offers users the ability to view a wide range of scientific information, data, and knowledge on biodiversity, climate change impacts, and equity, with the goal of helping inform and inspire land, water, and wildlife conservation and restoration efforts of individuals, land managers, policymakers, and communities," noted Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
The atlas is intended to serve as a critical resource for the "30 by 30" pledge under the "America the Beautiful" initiative, which aims to conserve 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030 to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and equity in outdoor access. The tool integrates various datasets and maps, including critical habitat data and locations of projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
PCAST Releases Report on Using AI to Accelerate Research
In a bid to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to expedite scientific discoveries while ensuring responsible use, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a comprehensive report on April 29 outlining a set of strategies to leverage AI effectively in scientific research.
PCAST serves as the primary advisory body, comprised of experts from outside the federal government, tasked with formulating policy recommendations on science, technology, and innovation for the President. Their latest report, Supercharging Research: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Meet Global Challenges, is in response to President Biden's Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
The report lays out a forward-looking approach to ensure AI's safe and effective integration in scientific endeavors, in line with the evolving digital landscape. PCAST emphasizes that AI should empower and not replace human scientists, underlining the importance of a collaborative approach. The report offers a series of recommendations targeted at federal research agencies, national laboratories, industry stakeholders, and academia to foster the development of AI tools conducive to scientific advancement.
Key recommendations from the report include urging federal funding agencies to incentivize innovative approaches for integrating AI into scientific workflows, alongside continued support for traditional human-led research. Moreover, it proposes the implementation of responsible AI use plans by researchers. A notable recommendation calls for Congress to fully fund the National Science Foundation's (NSF) National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), positioning it as a crucial infrastructure for future AI initiatives. Additionally, PCAST suggests expanding NSF's National Secure Data Service Demonstration project and the Census Bureau's Federal Statistical Research Data Centers to enhance government funded researchers' access to federal datasets.
AIBS Endorses Letter Calling for Increased EPA Science Funding in FY 2025
AIBS has endorsed a community letter urging congressional appropriators to support increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science and Technology (S&T) account in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
The letter recommends that Congress provide at least $876 million for EPA S&T, of which $40 million is requested for the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program. With this requested increase, the letter also recommends that Congress direct EPA to implement recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Mathematics (NASEM) to enhance innovation within the STAR Program and to enable the EPA's Office of Research Development, which oversees EPA S&T, to contribute further to the training of the future environmental workforce.
The letter reads, in part: "EPA faces historic staffing shortages with staffing levels today below those from 2014. Funding for EPA S&T has also decreased from its peak of $846 million in FY 2010 to $758.1 million for FY 2024. Similarly, the Science to Achieve Results program (STAR) Program, which provides research grants to U.S.-based universities to augment EPA's internal S&T capacity to conduct research has also been routinely under-funded with a reduction from its peak of $138 million in FY 2012 to $28.6 million for the last several fiscal years. The reduction in funds to the EPA S&T account has occurred despite the research it supports leading to significant positive benefits to human health and welfare, pollution control, and environmental sustainability for the last several decades."
AIBS Joins Community Letter in Support of FY 2025 NOAA Funding
AIBS and other members of Friends of NOAA have urged congressional appropriators to provide robust funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Friends of NOAA (FoNOAA) is group of 90 supporters, stakeholders, and partners of NOAA who join together to encourage Congress and the Administration to support the agency's mission and budget.
The letter requests that, at a minimum, Congress restore the over $800 million in cuts proposed by the Administration and fund NOAA at a level of no less than $7.5 billion in FY 2025.
"Unfortunately, while other science agencies have seen considerable growth over the past several years, NOAA has failed to receive the same consideration and instead has seen their top line appropriation remain relatively flat," the groups argue. "The agency has long operated under a mantra of "doing more with less," but the time has come to reverse that posture and provide NOAA with an appropriation that better reflects the critical role of the agency. To that end, Friends of NOAA would urge Congress to consider a level of funding even higher than this request as a starting point for achieving this important goal. This increased level is not arbitrary but rather a reflection of the critical needs and opportunities that lie ahead. Investing in NOAA is investing in America's future. It is a commitment to protecting our communities, sustaining our natural resources, and fostering economic growth. The return on this investment is clear: a safer, more resilient, and prosperous nation."
Stakeholders Urge Robust Funding for Agricultural Research in FY 2025
AIBS joined 48 other stakeholder groups in urging House and Senate appropriators to provide robust funding for agricultural research in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
"U.S. federal investments in public agricultural research have stagnated and declined in real terms; a 2022 report by the Economic Research Service found that public agricultural R&D investments have declined by about one-third since peaking in 2002, and concluded that the U.S. is well behind other countries in investment in agricultural R&D," the letter notes. "This decline in public funding has curtailed the development and dissemination of cutting-edge, regionally and culturally relevant agricultural practices and technologies that can improve producer resilience to environmental and economic challenges."
The letter calls for strong funding for the Agricultural Research Service and agricultural research, in general, "to catalyze innovative and promising new frontiers that support farmer profitability and resiliency."
Register Now: Writing for Impact and Influence Online Course
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is once again offering its popular professional development program to help scientists and students hone their written communication skills to increase the power of their message.
Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and hands-on exercises that will improve the participant's general writing proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, memoranda, and more, with a focus on the reader experience and the appropriate use of modern writing tools, such as ChatGPT.
Each product-oriented session will have an assignment (deadlines are flexible), with feedback from the instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and other participants. Each session is also recorded and shared with all participants to accommodate scheduling conflicts.
Who Should Take the Course?
- Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by augmenting their writing skills.
- Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in increasing their marketability to employers.
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Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters, organizational leaders, and others.
The course consists of six weekly 90-minute online modules conducted live and subsequently archived online for participant review. The course will begin on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with subsequent course sessions held weekly on Wednesdays, through August 14. Individuals who actively participate in and complete the full course will receive a certificate recognizing that they have completed a nine-hour professional development course on business writing for scientists.
Register now.
Enter the 14th 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 showcases, in a personal way, biological research in its many forms and settings. The images help the public and policymakers better understand the value of biological research and education. The competition is sponsored by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in addition to the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS).
"Photography is an effective tool to help communicate the process of scientific research," said Scott Glisson, CEO of AIBS. "This contest provides a visual forum for expression, inspiration, and technical skill that can have a positive impact on how the public views research and science."
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 2023 contest will be featured in the April 2024 issue of BioScience.
Submissions must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30, 2024. For more information or to enter the contest, visit our website.
Short Takes
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Members of the Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA) Board of Directors have authored a Viewpoint article for BioScience calling for "continued enhancement, not dissolution" of the Duke Herbarium. NSCA is an AIBS member society. "As a leader in biodiversity sciences, Duke should do this for its own benefit and to prevent burdening other institutions and the public with the cost of moving and curating Duke's collections" the article "To ensure a transparent decision-making process, Duke should convene a group of internal and external experts and potential funders to discuss the future of the collections, including potential partnerships with other regional entities." AIBS and NSCA previously sent letters to Duke University leadership urging them to reconsider their decision to dismantle the herbarium.
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is seeking suggestions for experts to participate in a new consensus study to review the draft Biodiversity and Climate Change Assessment. This draft document will comprise a scientific and scholarly assessment of the intersection of biodiversity and climate change and integrates Indigenous perspectives and Indigenous-led assessments. The National Academies staff are looking to build a committee of approximately 15 volunteer experts in addition to collecting information for potential speakers, participants, and peer reviewers for any publications resulting from the activity. Deadline to submit nominations is May 19, 2024.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) recruiting for two permanent Program Director positions within the Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) in the Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate. The first position is in the Human Resources Cluster and the second position is in the Research Resources Cluster within DBI. Both openings have an application deadline of May 10, 2024.
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The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections Education Sessional Committee is hosting a virtual Natural History Education DemoCamp on June 26-27, 2024 via Zoom. The goal is to share, discover, and discuss educational materials that have a framework in natural history. The event is free to attend and builds upon previous iterations of the "education share fair" hosted at the annual SPNHC meeting. Presenter registration is open until June 3rd and general attendee registration will be open up until the event.
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from April 22 to May 3, 2024.
Commerce
Energy
Health and Human Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Interior
National Science Foundation
