In Brief
Register for the 2020 Virtual Rally for Medical Research
Make Policy Work for Science – Apply for the 2021-2022 BPS Congressional Fellowship
The Latest on FY 2021 Appropriations
Members of Congress, Ad Hoc Group Urge Support of NIH Emergency Funds
FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee
Register for the 2020 Virtual Rally for Medical Research
On September 16-17 the Rally for Medical Research is going virtual for the first time; meaning you can participate directly from your labs and home offices! It is imperative that national STEM organizations and members use this opportunity to not only highlight how scientific research has helped overcome past pandemics, but also the role that it has in outlining our future preparedness for the next pandemic.
Register now and join the Biophysical Society (BPS), along with more than 300 STEM organizations and professionals, to advocate for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding as a national priority and to raise awareness about the research it supports. This year’s event will consist of a virtual reception on the evening of September 16 and meetings with elected officials will take place through teleconferences and webinars on September 17. All meetings will be arranged on your behalf with your elected officials.
Register now to ensure that Congress provides a long-term plan for scientific research funding.
Make Policy Work for Science – Apply for the 2021-2022 BPS Congressional Fellowship
The BPS Congressional Fellowship is an opportunity to embed science into the daily work of House and Senate offices. Members of Congress rely on their staff to bring expertise and knowledge to all aspects of the work they are tasked with. Working in public policy may not be the obvious next step to a career focused on scientific research, but it can be invaluable to not only the policy, but also to how you approach your research and funding in future.
This year-long opportunity provides a unique opportunity to work with a Member of Congress or committee and bring first-hand knowledge of science and scientific research to the public policy process. Learn more about the program, application and selection process from current Fellow Leah Cairns and former Fellow Randy Wadkins in BPS’ webinar replay.
BPS is now accepting applications for its Congressional Fellow for the 2021–2022 fellowship year. The program and open to Regular and Early Career members who are either U.S. citizens or foreign nationals legally allowed to work in the U.S. Visit the website for more details about the program or contact Leann Fox at [email protected] or (240) 290-5606. The application deadline is December 18, 2020.
The Latest on FY 2021 Appropriations
Agencies reportedly have been told by the Trump administration that they should plan to continue operating at fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending levels until the end of the calendar year, in case the twelve FY21 federal funding bills are not enacted before the September 30 deadline and a continuing resolution (CR) is required. Given the Senate has not taken action on its FY21 bills, it is highly likely that Congress will have to pass a CR.
Members of Congress, Ad Hoc Group Urge Support of NIH Emergency Funds
Congressional members showed bipartisan support for including $15.5 billion in supplemental funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the next COVID-19 relief package. Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) led 43 members of the House, while Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) led 21 senators in a separate Aug. 6 letter outlining the importance of supporting the medical research enterprise amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
BPS joined together with over 180 members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research to send a letter urging Congressional and White House leadership to include at least $15.5 billion in emergency supplemental funds for NIH in the next COVID-19 emergency supplemental spending package. The letters were delivered a day before Congressional and White House leaders announced a stall in previously ongoing negotiations on the next COVID-19 emergency supplemental package.
FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Peter Marks, director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), say they plan to convene the agency’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) to review any COVID-19 vaccine, whether it be for emergency use authorization or licensure. Commissioner Hahn confirmed that the FDA will hold the first coronavirus vaccine meeting on October 22.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci said it may take until well into 2021 for vaccines to actually reach much of the general public. The leading products require two doses, which will limit how many people early supplies can help, and federal health officials are still developing a plan for who will get the shots, how they’ll be distributed, and how their effectiveness and safety will be tracked afterward.