Biophysical Society Bulletin | December 2019

Annual Meeting

The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your NSF Grant Monday, February 17, 12:30 pm –2:00 pm

registration fully paid and must be willing to volunteer six hours during the meeting. To apply, please send an email to meetings@biophysics.org by December 19, 2019, with the following information: full name, cell phone number, and complete list of dates and times available. Those selected will have their registration refunded after the meeting. Public Affairs Sessions Science CommunicationsWorkshop Saturday, February 15, 2:00 pm –4:00 pm Science communication plays an increasingly important role in society. Communication skills are critical in educating the public on the importance of research and are important career advancement skills. Being able to successfully communicate the role and value that research in biophysics has on health, energy, technology, and science. We will be joined by advocacy and communications specialist Amy Showalter for a two-hour, interactive communications workshop. Science and Research in the Global Political Landscape: The United States and China Sunday, February 16, 2:30 pm –4:00 pm Science has always thrived on collaborations. Indeed, many significant scientific advances have resulted from collabora- tive efforts. China’s recent increased investment in science and technology has been accompanied by increasing numbers of international scientific collaborations involving scientists at Chinese institutions, the largest share being with scientists in the United States The high level of scientific collaboration has coincided with trade disputes and concerns about intellectual property theft. The US Congress has begun to actively pursue legislation to protect the products of US research efforts from foreign governments. At the same time, the US agencies oversee- ing federal research grants have initiated investigations into grantees with undisclosed collaborative agreements with foreign governments amidst allegations of “double dipping.” As tensions continue to rise between the two countries, what are the long-term repercussions for scientific research — an endeavor that has always thrived on collaborative efforts and global perspectives?

The National Science Foundation’s Biological Sciences Direc- torate strongly supports biophysics researchers through its Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. The division awarded over $160 million in funding to researchers in 41 states. At this session, program directors and officers with expertise in biophysics will be providing details on the 2020 NSF grant-making process, with a particular emphasis on grant writing and submission for new and early career inves- tigators. Understanding the Congressional Budget Process: How Science is Funded Monday, February 17, 1:00 pm –2:30 pm The United States Congress and the Administration contin- ue to parry over budget negotiation. While Congress raised discretionary spending caps in 2018, that deal is set to expire this fall. While Congress pushes for another two-year deal on spending, the White House is looking to maintain a posi- tion of power through temporary funding extensions. How will the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other science-related agencies do under the next budget deal? Will Congress even pass a new bud- get deal? Which agencies fund scientific research and how does Congress negotiate their funding levels? Join our panel of government and industry insiders as we explore how the congressional budget is developed, historical trends in science funding, and what the future may hold! The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing Your NIH Grant Tuesday, February 18, 1:30 pm –3:00 pm The National Institutes of Health is the world’s largest funder of fundamental biomedical research. You have likely spent years training and are now ready to apply for an NIH grant. But where do you start? At this session, program directors and officers with exper- tise in biophysics will be providing details on the 2020 NIH grant-making process, with a particular emphasis on grant writing and submission for new and early career investiga- tors.

biophysics.org/ 2020meeting

December 2019

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