AIBS Public Policy Reports 3

AIBS Report Analyzes President's Budget Request for Science

President Obama released a $3.8 trillion budget plan for fiscal year (FY) 2014 on 10 April 2013. According to the White House, the budget proposal would reduce the federal deficit by increasing revenues and cutting spending. The proposal would replace sequestration, the $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act.

Science is a priority in the President’s budget request, according to a new analysis by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. The Administration proposed $142.8 billion for federal research and development (R&D), an increase of 1.3 percent over the FY 2012 level. Although defense R&D would be cut by 5.2 percent, non-defense R&D would increase by 9.2 percent to $69.6 billion.

Most science agencies and biological research programs would see increased funding in FY 2014. Notably, the National Science Foundation would receive an 8.4 percent increase. Other science programs slated for a budget increase include the National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy Office of Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Agriculture, and several Department of the Interior bureaus. Funding for Environmental Protection Agency science would be reduced.

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs would be consolidated across the federal government. More than 100 programs at 11 agencies are targeted for elimination or reorganization. Some programs would be moved to the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, or Smithsonian Institution.

Download a free copy of the report on science funding in the President’s budget request at www.aibs.org/public-policy/budget_report.html.

NSF Budget Proposal Would Boost Research, Education Funding

President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2014 requests $7.6 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is a proposed increase of $592.7 million, or 8.4 percent over the FY 2012 appropriation.

Increases are proposed for all mission areas within NSF. The Research and Related Activities account, which includes funding for the various disciplinary directorates, would receive an increase of 9.2 percent. This would fund an additional 4,600 competitive awards during the fiscal year, although the agency’s funding rate is expected to remain at 24 percent. Education and Human Resources, which funds education research and various fellowships, would grow by 6.2 percent. Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction would increase by 6.6 percent. The budget for administrative efforts would receive a modest increase of 1.6 percent.

The budget request includes increases for several Presidential priorities, including big data, interdisciplinary research, sustainability, and innovation commercialization. Toward these goals, the President proposed an increase of $77.5 million for cyberinfrastructure for the Big Data initiative, $42.7 million in new funding for interdisciplinary research, an increase of $65.8 million for sustainability research, and an additional $17.4 million for NSF Innovation Corps.

NSF would become the government-wide leader for undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, as part of the reorganization proposed by the Administration. A new NSF-wide activity, Catalyzing Advances in Undergraduate STEM Education, would be created from consolidation of several existing NSF programs. The guiding principles for the new program are to focus investments on student retention, establish the portfolio through collaboration among all NSF directorates, gather input from outside experts, and base future investments on evaluation and demonstrated impacts.

NSF would expand its support for graduate students and early career scientists. The Graduate Research Fellowship program would be renamed the National Graduate Research Fellowship, to reflect the consolidation of STEM education programs across the government. The program would award an additional 700 fellowships, for a total of 2,700 new fellows in FY 2014; NSF would enhance the program to provide a wider range of career development opportunities. A new graduate program, NSF Research Traineeships, is proposed to support traineeship programs at universities. The program would replace the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program. The Faculty Early Career Development program (CAREER) would support 500 new awards in FY 2014.

The budget for the Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO) would increase by 6.8 percent to $760.6 million. BIO provides about 64 percent of federal funding for non-medical, basic life sciences research, including environmental biology, at academic institutions.

The number of research grants awarded and average award size would increase from the FY 2012 level. The funding rate across the directorate is expected to increase, largely due to the implementation of a new proposal submission process in 2011.

BIO would receive new funding to contribute to several NSF-wide initiatives. In addition to $8.5 million in additional funding for the Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability initiative, BIO would receive $18.1 million in additional funding for the Research at the Interface of the Biological, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences (BioMaPS) program. The directorate’s support for clean energy technology would grow by $7.0 million. Within the Integrative Organismal Systems, a $5.0 million increase would focus on mapping circuits that drive behavior in a variety of organisms. Additionally, $4.5 million in new funding is proposed for software infrastructure for sustained innovation and cyberinfrastructure in the life sciences.

Support would continue for digitization of scientific information associated with biological specimens held in U.S. research collections. FY 2014 investments would be guided by the strategic and implementation plans developed by the community.

A new program would be created with the Division of Environmental Biology to link long-term planetary biodiversity data with specimen/collections data. The Strategic Integration for Biological Sciences would be supported with an initial investment of $2.0 million.

Additional analysis of the President’s budget is available in a new report from the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Download your free copy at www.aibs.org/public-policy/budget_report.html.

Lawmaker, Obama Administration At Odds Over NSF Peer Review

President Obama and others are responding vocally and publically to a draft bill authored by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX). Smith, who is Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, has proposed that the National Science Foundation (NSF) only fund research that is in the national interest of the United States.

The High Quality Research Act, which has not yet been formally introduced as a bill, would require the director of NSF to certify that any award “(1) is in the interests of the United States to advance the national health, prosperity, or welfare, and to secure the national defense by promoting the progress of science; (2) is the finest quality, is ground breaking, and answers questions or solves problems that are of utmost importance to society at large; and (3) is not duplicative of other research projects being funded by the Foundation or other Federal science agencies.”

President Obama alluded to Smith’s legislation and other attempts by Congress to weaken the peer review system in his remarks on the 150th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences. “And what’s true of all sciences is that in order for us to maintain our edge, we’ve got to protect our rigorous peer review system and ensure that we only fund proposals that promise the biggest bang for taxpayer dollars,” said the President. “And I will keep working to make sure that our scientific research does not fall victim to political maneuvers or agendas that in some ways would impact on the integrity of the scientific process. That’s what’s going to maintain our standards of scientific excellence for years to come.”

Smith countered in a statement released the next day that: “It is the job of Congress and the NSF to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly… The draft bill maintains the current peer review process and improves on it by adding a layer of accountability. The intent of the draft legislation is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent on the highest-quality research possible.”

House Science Panel Considers Scientific, Economic Aspects of Climate Change

The House Science Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing on 25 April 2013 on our current understanding of climate science as it relates to potential mitigation options. As with past hearings, some members of Congress expressed doubts about the causes of global warming or the need to take action.

Subcommittee Chairman Chris Stewart (R-UT) put forth the argument that global warming seems to have ceased in recent years. “The number and complexity of factors influencing climate—from land and oceans to the sun and clouds—make precise long-term temperature predictions an extremely difficult challenge. Contrary to the predictions of almost all modeling, over the past 16 years there has been a complete absence of global warming.”

Testimony from Dr. Judith Curry, a professor of Earth and atmospheric sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology, raised doubts about the certainty of climate models, saying, “If all other things remain equal, it is clear that adding more carbon to the atmosphere will warm the planet. But the problem is that nothing remains equal… There are two situations to avoid. The first is acting on the basis of a highly confident statement about the future that turns out to be wrong, and the second is missing the possibility of an extreme catastrophic outcome.”

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) emphasized “it is also important to recognize that the direction we choose to take on climate change is not resolvable by science alone.”

William Chameides, dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, argued, “The risks posed by human-caused climate change are significant and warrant timely action to minimize these risks. We as individuals and as a society often act in the face of uncertainty. I, for example, cannot predict if, let alone when, I will have a fire in my house, but I pay for fire insurance.”

Representative Stewart later asserted that it would not make sense to pay for fire insurance if it costs more than the value of the house. The subcommittee’s ranking member, Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) responded, “I think I have to submit that it’s easier to replace a house than a planet if we have the kind of damage that could come from climate change,”

“Yes, there are uncertainties, but these uncertainties do not justify inaction. What they do suggest is that our response should be a flexible one that allows for course corrections as new information and knowledge comes available,” said Chameides.

AIBS Testimony Supports Research Funding

The American Institute of Biological Sciences has asked the House of Representatives and the Senate to sustain federal investments in the United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Forest Service (USFS), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in fiscal year (FY) 2014.

AIBS encouraged Congress to provide the USGS with at least $1.167 billion in FY 2014, with at least $180.8 million for the Ecosystems activity. The testimony also requested that Congress provide the USFS Forest and Rangeland Research program with at least $310.2 million, and EPA’s Office of Research and Development with at least $600 million.

The testimony from AIBS was submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, and Environment, and Related Agencies.

Additionally, AIBS director of public policy, Dr. Robert Gropp, appeared on a panel before the House subcommittee in regards to funding for USGS. Gropp chairs the USGS Coalition, an alliance of over 70 organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the USGS.

Read AIBS’ testimony at http://www.aibs.org/position-statements/20130425houseinterior_testimony.html.

EPA Updates Conflict of Interest Policy for Science Reviewers

Information about experts selected to serve on independent peer review panels for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will now be subject to public scrutiny. A recent policy change requires the names, affiliations, and resumes of candidates being considered for contractor-managed review panels be made public. Additionally, the EPA will accept public comments on the recommended reviewers. Contractors will also consult with EPA to assess compliance with existing conflict of interest policies.

Not everyone is impressed with the changes. Representative Chris Stewart (R-UT), who is sponsoring a bill (H.R. 1422) aimed at reforming EPA’s science review boards, called the new process “just a smoke-and-mirrors announcement without any meaningful documentation or chance of agency follow-through.”

Request a Copy of the Biocollections Implementation Plan

It’s not too late to request a copy of the Implementation Plan for the Network Integrated Biocollections Alliance. The report calls for the creation of a Network Integrated Biocollections Alliance (NIBA) to increase research productivity, solve societal problems, and drive innovation. The report was the outcome of a workshop of experts that was convened last fall to outline the steps needed to build NIBA in the next ten years. When built, NIBA will provide online access to digitized data for biological specimens held in natural history museums, university science departments, and government laboratories, among other repositories. Request a free copy of the report at http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/biocollections.html.

Short Takes

Two-dozen federal agencies that support scientific research will hold two meetings about public access to federally supported research. The two-day meetings will be held on the topics of access to scholarly publications and scientific data. Register to attend in person or to watch the webcast at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DBASSE/CurrentProjects/DBASSE_082378#.UYE42IKj3r9.

The Louisiana Senate Education Committee voted against a bill to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act. S. 26 is sponsored by Senator Karen Carter Peterson (D-New Orleans). Her legislation would repeal a state law that opens the door to the teaching of creationism in Louisiana schools. The bill was defeated in a vote of 2-3.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education. The annual award recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated excellence in scientific research and cooperation with scientists from other Asian countries. Learn more at http://www.apec.org/Home/aspire/aspire2013.aspx.

The National Science Foundation is advertising a position vacancy for Program Director for the Advancing the Digitization of Biodiversity Collections program. It is being advertised as both a permanent position and as a rotating position. Details for the permanent position are available at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/342543200; the rotating position is posted at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/342544100.

Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center

Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center today! (www.aibs.org/public-policy/legislativeactioncenter.html)

The AIBS Legislative Action Center is an online resource that allows biologists and science educators to quickly and effectively influence policy and public opinion. Each day lawmakers must make tough decisions about science policy. For example, what investments to make in federal research programs, how to conserve biodiversity, how to mitigate climate change, or under what circumstances to permit stem cell research. Scientists now have the opportunity to help elected officials understand these issues. These exciting new advocacy tools allows individuals to quickly and easily communicate with members of Congress, executive branch officials, and selected media outlets.

This new tool is made possible through contributions from the Entomological Society of America, Society for the Study of Evolution, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and the Botanical Society of America.

AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators to become policy advocates today. Simply go to http://capwiz.com/aibs/home/ to send a prepared letter or to sign up to receive periodic Action Alerts.

President Obama's Budget Request Would Boost Science Funding in FY 2014

President Obama released a $3.77 trillion budget plan for fiscal year (FY) 2014 on 10 April 2013. According to the White House, the budget proposal would cut deficits by increasing revenues and reducing spending. The proposal would replace sequestration, the $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act.

Science is once again a priority in the President's budget request. The Administration proposed $143 billion for federal research and development (R&D), an increase of 1.3 percent over the 2012 level. Although defense R&D would be cut by 5.2 percent, non-defense R&D would increase by 9.2 percent to almost $70 billion, with much of the increase going to basic and applied research.

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs would be consolidated across the federal government. The total number of programs would decrease from 226 to 112. Nearly $180 million would be redirected from 11 agencies to the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and Smithsonian Institution. K-12 STEM programs would be reorganized at the Department of Education, with NSF taking the lead on graduate and undergraduate education programs. Smithsonian would be the lead agency on informal science education.

A summary of proposed funding for select science agencies follows:

Department of Energy Office of Science: $5.2 billion (+$217.8 million)

Biological and Environmental Research: $625.3 million (+$32.9 million)

Environmental Protection Agency Science and Technology: $783.9 million (-$9.8 million)
NASA Earth Science: $1.8 billion (+$80.4 million)
National Institutes of Health: $31.2 billion (+$471.0 million)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: $5.4 billion (+$541 million)
National Science Foundation: $7.6 billion (+$592.7 million)

Biological Sciences Directorate: $760.6 million (+$48.2 million)

Smithsonian Institution: $869.2 million (+$59.0 million)
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service: $1.3 billion (+$184 million)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture: $1.3 billion (+$86 million)

U.S. Forest Service Forest and Rangeland Research: $310.2 million (+$14.9 million)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: $1.6 billion (+$76.4 million)
U.S. Geological Survey: $1.2 billion (+$98.8 million)

Ecosystems Activity: $180.8 million (+$18.0 million)

A more detailed analysis of the budget request will be released in a forthcoming report by the American Institute of Biological Sciences.

National Science Education Standards Finalized

New guidelines for science education could change K-12 education across the nation. The Next Generation Science Standards represent a collaborative, state-led effort to develop common science curriculum standards for grades K-12.

Although states are not required to adopt the new standards, 26 states have pledged to seriously consider implementing them. The states include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

Leaders of the effort say that the new standards may result in teachers covering fewer subjects, but covering them more in depth.

The standards place an emphasis on critical thinking and investigation. The standards are written as student performance expectations, which are grouped by topic and by grade: K-5, middle school and high school. Each topic includes disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting, interdisciplinary concepts. Examples of biological standards include natural selection and adaptation, connections between organisms and ecosystems, and structure and function of living organisms.

The standards are based on the National Research Council’s “Framework for K-12 Science Education.” The framework identified the science elements K-12 students should know, based on the most current research in science and science learning.

Scientists Visit Capitol Hill in Support of Biological Research

Biological scientists traveled to Washington, DC on 10-11 April 2013 to communicate to members of Congress the importance of sustained federal investments in the biological sciences. The scientists and graduate students were in the nation’s capital as part of the annual Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) Congressional Visits Day.

Among the participants were researchers affiliated with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and its member organizations, including the Organization of Biological Field Stations, Botanical Society of America, Entomological Society of America, and the Ecological Society of America. Also participating were Jennifer Rood and Paul Tanger, the 2013 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award recipients.

The two-day event began with a training session for the roughly thirty participants. Policy staffers from AIBS and the Ecological Society of America provided participants with budget analysis and advocacy training.

On 11 April, participants fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with members of Congress and their staff. This year, the group emphasized the importance of sustained federal investments in research that will help the nation create new jobs and respond to society’s needs, such as food security, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and improving human health. Participants highlighted the importance of the NSF in fostering economic growth. The agency’s Biological Sciences Directorate funds about 64 percent of fundamental, non-medical biological research.

This year, BESC recognized two members of Congress for their leadership and support of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research and education. Representatives Daniel Lipinski (D-Illinois) and Dave Reichert (R-Washington) were awarded the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition Congressional Leadership Award.

Download a BESC fact sheet on the importance of federal investments in biological research at http://www.aibs.org/public-policy/resources/BESC2013Leave_Behind.pdf.

Representatives Lipinski, Reichert Receive BESC Award

Representatives Daniel Lipinski (D-Illinois) and Dave Reichert (R-Washington) are the recipients of the 2013 Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) Congressional Leadership Award. The award is given to recognize congressional leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting public policy that advances the nation’s scientific research enterprise.

“We are fortunate to have two such strong supporters of the natural sciences in Congress,” said Nadine Lymn, co-chair of BESC and director of public affairs for the Ecological Society of America. “Representatives Lipinski and Reichert have repeatedly demonstrated that they value the contributions of biology and other sciences to society and believe that sustaining the nation’s research and technology enterprise is a worthy investment.”

Lipinski is the Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Research. He sponsored the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010, which authorized increased funding for the National Science Foundation; the legislation became part of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which was signed into law in 2011. Lipinski is a vocal supporter of the use of prizes to stimulate innovation, and successfully amended U.S. law to allow federal agencies to award cash prizes to innovators. The congressman is also a co-chair of the House Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education Caucus, and a member of the Congressional Research and Development Caucus.

Reichert has worked actively to conserve the wild areas of Washington state and the nation. A former member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, he sponsored a resolution that recognized the contributions of female scientists. Reichert was one of only 17 House Republicans to support the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010. He is co-chair of the National Parks Caucus and National Landscape Conservation Caucus, and a member of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus and Wild Salmon Caucus. Reichert is chair of the Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“Representatives Lipinski and Reichert are steadfast advocates for scientific research, particularly at the National Science Foundation,” said BESC co-chair Robert Gropp, director of public policy at the American Institute of Biological Sciences. “They both appreciate that research drives innovation, contributes to the solution of complex problems, and will help drive new economic growth.”

The Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) is an alliance of organizations united by a concern for every aspect of the biology of the natural world, from agricultural systems to zoology. BESC supports the goal of increasing the nation’s investment in the non-medical biological sciences across all federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Congress Repeals Financial Disclosure Requirement for Feds

Top federal employees will not have to disclose their personal financial information on the Internet. Congress repealed a requirement that was enacted as part of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, which would have required the creation of a publically searchable online database of senior officials’ personal financial information. These employees are currently required to file financial disclosure statements that are public, but not available online.

Congress Gears Up for NSF Reauthorization

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee is expected to consider legislation in the coming weeks that would reauthorize future funding levels for NSF and potentially make policy changes at the agency. The Committee held two hearings on 17 April 2013 funding and oversight of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Remarks made by committee members provide some insight into the panel’s views of NSF research. Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) repeatedly questioned the value of social science research funded by NSF. Smith asked the hearing witnesses about the potential to implement a legislative provision that requires any research funded by NSF to directly benefit the American people. Dr. Dan Arvizu, chair of the National Science Board, rebutted that such a provision would be difficult to tailor in a way that would not compromise the scientific credibility of the agency. In a separate hearing, Dr. John Holdren, President Obama’s science advisor and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, cautioned against Congress micromanaging how agencies such as NSF award research grants. But he also conceded that there is “room for improvement” in how NSF prioritizes research initiatives based on potential value to the national interest.

Another committee member, Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL) also questioned NSF’s role in supporting social science research. Posey suggested that these scientific fields should be funded by private industry, not American taxpayers.

Representative Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) highlighted some of the benefits of social science research, including the Nobel Prize for economics awarded to Dr. Elinor Ostrom, who received NSF funding for some of her work on common property.

USGS Launches New Program for Digital Biodiversity Records

A new initiative by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offers 100 million mapped records of nearly every living species in the United States. Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON) provides specific locations for the vast majority of records, not just county or state records.

“The USGS is proud to announce this monumental resource,” said Kevin Gallagher, Associate Director of USGS Core Science Systems, “and this is a testament to the power of combining the efforts of hundreds of thousands of professional and citizen scientists into a resource that uses Big Data and Open Data principles to deliver biodiversity information for sustaining the Nation’s environmental capital.”

Anticipated users of BISON include researchers, land managers, water resource managers, educators, citizen scientists, and others.

USGS is collaborating with other federal agencies to increase the data set. In addition, hundreds of thousands of researchers and citizen scientists have contributed data.

Access BISON at http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/.

Short Takes

A dear colleague letter circulated in the House of Representatives in support of the President's budget request for the National Science Foundation garnered 94 signatures. The letter, authored by Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), supports an appropriation of $7.626 billion in fiscal year 2014.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences has asked the Senate to sustain investments for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year 2014. In testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee, AIBS highlighted the important role that the NSF plays in supporting basic research, which helps drive innovation and power our nation's economic growth. Read the AIBS testimony at http://www.aibs.org/position-statements/20130419_senate_nsf_testimony.html.
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee has passed legislation that would change requirements for science considered by the Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board. HR 1422 would add new peer review requirements and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.
The National Science Foundation is accepting nominations for people to serve on the Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences and the Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education. Learn more at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-15/html/2013-08698.htm.
The Environmental Protection Agency seeks nominations for candidates for the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the SAB Ecological Processes and Effects Committee. Learn more at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-04-12/html/2013-08690.htm.
Current, past, or future principal investigators funded by NSF's Division of Environmental Biology are asked to complete a survey on the division's new proposal review process. Access the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DEB_IOS_program_feedback.

Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center

Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center today! (www.aibs.org/public-policy/legislativeactioncenter.html)

President Obama Announces Brain Research Initiative

On 2 April 2013, President Obama launched the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The $100 million effort promises to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain. The initiative aims to “help researchers find new ways to treat, cure, and even prevent brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury,” according to the White House.

The Obama Administration previously identified better understanding of the brain as a “grand challenge.”

The initiative will be supported by funding from three federal agencies starting in fiscal year 2014, which begins on 1 October 2013. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will provide approximately $40 million next year for the development of new tools, training opportunities, and other resources. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will invest $50 million in programs to understand the “dynamic functions of the brain” and create “breakthrough applications based on these insights.” The National Science Foundation will contribute about $20 million for interdisciplinary research.

Additionally, public-private partnerships will be formed. Contributions from the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kavli Foundation, and Salk Institute for Biological Studies total about $122 million a year.

The scientific goals for NIH’s part of the research will be defined by a new working group. The President also directed his Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues to explore the ethical, legal, and societal implications of neuroscience research.

Federal Employees Informed of Unpaid Furloughs

Many federal workers will be required to take unpaid leave as a result of budget sequestration. The $85 billion in budget cuts that took effect in March leave agencies with fewer resources to serve their missions. Even with reductions in travel, training, and supplies, some agencies were not able to cut spending enough to avoid employee furloughs.

At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most employees will be required to take off four days between 21 April and 15 June. If Congress does not address the sequester or the EPA is unable to cut its budget enough in other ways, employees may have to take furlough days on 5 July and 30 August—both holiday weekends—as well as seven additional days before October. The anticipated savings from furlough days is expected to cover about 20 percent of the $425 million the EPA must cut from its budget this year. The remaining savings will come from reduced spending on grants, travel, and contracts.

The United State Geological Survey told workers to expect no more than 9 furlough days, but the number could be lower if the agency can find additional savings. The agency plans to address the $61 million shortfall under sequestration by freezing hiring, reducing contracts and procurements, eliminating training, and scaling back travel.

Employees at the White House Office of Management and Budget will be required to take 10 furlough days this fiscal year. This works out to one unpaid day each pay period from April to September.

Civilian employees at the Defense Department will be furloughed for 14 days, down from a previous estimate of 22 days.

Other agencies do not plan on forcing workers to take unpaid leave. The National Park Service does not anticipate furloughs unless other cost-savings measures fail. Similarly, the Smithsonian Institution does not plan to furlough employees.