Bold Leadership
Dario Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at IBM, Research!America Emeritus board member, and member of the Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC), was recently appointed Chair of the National Science Board (NSB). Addressing the NSB meeting yesterday, he laid out a bold and compelling path forward for science & technology, structured to meet the challenges we face 25 years into the 21st century. Referencing global competitiveness, he spoke of science and technology as “the new currency of power;” emphasizing that the U.S. has some work to do to lead globally on S&T. And there’s so much more! Connected Horizons: New Opportunities in a Changed Landscape is very much worth your review. Gil’s message is consistent with STAC’s in advocating for developing and funding a national S&T strategy.
Clinical Trials Hill Briefing: We hope you will attend Research!America’s in-person briefing next week on Capitol Hill – “Understanding the Power and Possibility of Clinical Trials” – featuring panelists representing regulatory, industry, government, and patient advocacy perspectives. The briefing will take place Tuesday, July 30, from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET in 2075 Rayburn House Office Building. Lunch will be available. Space is limited, so register soon.
On the Hill: The House recessed a week earlier than scheduled after canceling session the week of July 29. The House majority had announced plans to pass all 12 FY25 spending bills before adjourning for the August recess, but to date have passed just 5 of them. The remaining 7, including the Agriculture-FDA; Commerce-Justice-Science; and Labor-HHS spending bills, will not see further action until the House returns from recess in early September.
In today’s markup of its FY25 Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee included $11.2 billion for science and technology programs, including $9.6 billion for the NSF. While the overall figure is $635 million more than FY24, it still falls short of levels included in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. We will continue to advocate for full funding of the important priorities included in the 2022 Act. The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up the FY25 Labor-HHS funding bill on Thursday, Aug. 1.
The Space in Between: Delays in the appropriations cycle have negative consequences, but they also create opportunities for additional advocacy. Research!America has joined a CDC Coalition letter opposing the proposed 22% cut in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention budget included in the House Appropriations Committee’s FY25 Labor-HHS spending bill. If your organization is interested in signing the letter, you have until COB Monday, July 29.
Cures 2.1: Yesterday we held a terrific alliance member-only conversation with Emily Mace, Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel for Rep. Bucshon (R-IN), and David Steury, Health Policy Director for Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), on draft legislation that builds on the 21st Century Cures Act. Their bosses are soliciting input (due Aug. 2) from interested parties on the draft bill, referred to as Cures 2.1. What are your organization’s priorities for this legislation aimed at delivering more medical progress more quickly to more patients? If you’d like to brainstorm together, contact Erin Darbouze.
Alliance Member-only Meeting with National Cancer Institute Director: Investment in cancer research has played a pivotal role in reducing cancer deaths by 33% over the past three decades in the U.S., but we have far more to do. Join us on Monday, July 29, at noon ET for a member-only conversation with Dr. Kimryn Rathmell, the Director of the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, to hear about the Institute’s priorities. If you are with a Research!America alliance member organization, email Jacqueline Lagoy for the registration link.
What To Know About Bird Flu: The H5N1 bird flu has made its way to U.S. dairy farms across the nation. Please join us on July 31 at 11 a.m. ET to hear from Jennifer Nuzzo, MD, epidemiologist and Director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health, who will discuss the latest on H5N1 research and the importance of acting now to prevent further spread of the virus. Register now.
NIH Reform: As part of our meeting series on NIH reform proposals, Research!America will host a third alliance members-only meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1, at noon ET. We will be hosting a brainstorming session focused on the NIH reform framework proposal released in June by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair, Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) with the support of House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL). We will use the hour to compare notes on the Chair’s request for feedback, due Aug. 16. If your organization is a Research!America alliance member, email Jacqueline Lagoy to receive the registration link.
Reducing Disparities in Neuroscience Research: We hosted a compelling discussion late last week on the work of the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Institute whose goal is to reduce health disparities in brain research. Research!America board member Kafui Dzirasa, MD, PhD – another bold leader of our times – is helping lead this effort. Ancestry-associated genes have an important impact on brain health, yet only 5% of neuroscience research participants come from underrepresented populations. This shortcoming hinders the application of research findings on diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Institute is addressing this shortfall by studying ancestry-related differences and increasing diversity among research participants and the scientists conducting the research.