Talk of the Town
I considered beginning the letter with a topic not related to the elections; let’s face it, though, there’s a reason Nov. 5 is the talk of the town: regardless of the outcomes, this year’s elections are widely held to be among the most consequential in our nation’s history. We are pleased to invite you to a research funding and policy-focused post-election briefing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. The event will begin with an interactive discussion, followed by a networking reception, both of which will be more meaningful (and enjoyable!) if you join in! The event is free, but space is limited so register now.
Gearing up for the Lame Duck Conversation: This week we’re suggesting a breather on our member-of-Congress email campaign — again, the elections are sucking all the air from the room. But do take a minute or two to check out our updated Advocacy Resources. These resources – research agency funding by district and state and other relevant data, tools, and tips – are designed to make it as easy as possible for advocates to hit the ground running after the elections. (BTW, we’re always looking for new ideas for resources: shoot Erin Darbouze an email.)
A Continuing Challenge: Many Americans want to know where they can find accurate information about their health. The Coalition for Trust in Health and Science, along with the National Consumers League, is hosting a free virtual Town Hall to help the public find credible health information, identify misinformation, and take action to be an empowered health consumer. The event, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 7-8 pm ET, is produced by BlackDoctor.org. Join the event on Facebook or YouTube.
Newly Minted Review Board Gets to Work: Previously in this space, we noted that the NIH recently re-established its Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB). Wasting little time, the board has announced a hybrid meeting on Nov. 12 from 11:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. ET. See the Federal Register notice and register here.
Preparing for Public Health Thank You Day: On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Research!America and leading public health organizations across the nation will say “Thank You” to our public health workforce. This year’s Public Health Thank You Day theme is “Public health is a lifesaver, today and every day.“
Whether you’re on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram, join us on Nov. 25 to show gratitude for those who work 24/7 to protect the health of us all! Tap into our social media toolkit, which includes easy-to-use snappy graphics, links, survey data, and more.
Get ready for your close-up! Are you a public health student, a recent graduate, or their colleague? We’re collecting videos, 15 to 30 seconds long, describing why public health matters to share on our social media sites. Tell us your “why”; contact Taylarr Lopez by Nov. 8.
You Are Why Our Alliance Has Impact: In the midst of election year uncertainty, it is not difficult to predict that our nation’s R&D and public health ecosystem faces daunting challenges. A confluence of events will place enormous pressure on the administration and Congress to reduce discretionary and entitlement spending, and that places both federally funded and private-sector-driven R&D at risk.
The Research!America alliance is an acknowledged force in the advocacy arena, and regardless of the challenges ahead, working together we can achieve the funding and policy environment needed for accelerated scientific, medical, and public health progress. But we have work to do and we need your help. As you plan your year-end giving, please consider a gift to Research!America to help us commit even more strongly to promoting faster medical and scientific progress.
With your support – and partnership – we can strengthen policies and increase funding to advance science and technology, discovery, and innovation. Arguably, the future of the mission we all share has never been at greater risk, which is why your support – at any amount – will make a world of difference.
Alliance Member-Only Events: If you are with a Research!America alliance member organization, we’re pleased to invite you to these off-the-record, virtual meetings:
- A conversation with BARDA Director Gary Disbrow on Oct. 30 at noon ET.
- An Update on Cures 2.1 with David Steury, Health Policy Director for Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) on Monday, Nov. 4, at noon ET.
- A Discussion with Dr. Mike Lauer, Deputy Director for Extramural Research at NIH on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2:00-2:45 p.m. ET.
If you are with a Research!America alliance member organization, email Jacqueline Lagoy for the registration link for these three events. If your organization is interested in learning more about joining the alliance, check out the “Membership” section of our website and please don’t hesitate to contact Kristen Furlong for more information.