Biophysical Society Bulletin | July-August 2024

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New Zealand Budget Looks to Cut Science Research Spending When New Zealand’s Finance Minister, Nicola Willis , announced the first budget from the new government on May 30, the proposal called for the reduction or elimination of a number of science programs. While Parliament is expected to approve the NZ$3.2 billion budget, cuts and all, a coalition of scientists has joined together to persuade lawmakers to increase future research funding. Even before the Finance Minister released the budget blueprint, the New Zealand government had signaled it would be drastically curbing spending, and some research-related agencies were already planning layoffs. New Zealand’s largest competitive research grants program, the Endeavour Fund, is forecast to get a small increase in the next budget, but two other major funds that support health and fundamental research would see flat spending. The new budget has amplified concerns about the long-term conse quences for the nation’s scientific workforce.

NIH-type body. Currently, INSERM conducts research in all fields of biomedical science and human health, most often in partnership with universities. But the report recommends the organization mainly become a national strategic agen cy for defining, deploying, and funding biomedical research programs at the country level, guided by an independent scientific advisory board. A second branch of INSERM would still perform some research, but mainly to directly support its national strategic role, similar to NIH’s intramural research program. There would be a full separation of power between the strategic and research branches. More broadly, the report contains recommendations for mak ing physician-scientist careers more attractive and boosting clinical research by simplifying access to human samples and patient data. It also recommends that France do more to fos ter entrepreneurship and attract private funding for biomed ical research, as well as reform intellectual property law to facilitate partnerships.

Applications Are Open for the Biophysical Society 2025–2026 Congressional Fellowship Interested in using your science skills to inform science policy? Does spending a year working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, helping develop policy sound exciting? The Biophysical Society’s Congressional Fellowship Program (www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/congressional-fellowship) is your opportunity to participate directly in the process of lawmaking that impacts how research is funded and regulated. This year-long opportunity provides fellows a chance to utilize their science knowledge to inform the public policy process. Fellows will gain firsthand knowledge and experience on how Congress works and will participate in the esteemed AAAS Science and Technology Fellows program that provides ongoing training and networking opportunities during the fellowship year and beyond. Visit www.biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/congressional-fellowship for more details about the program or contact Leann Fox at fellows@biophysics.org or (240) 290-5606. The application deadline is December 13, 2024.

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In the past five years, BPS has supported 60 high-school-level science fairs across the United States.

July/August 2024

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