Biophysical Society Newsletter - November 2014

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BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

NOVEMBER

Public Affairs

Congress Keeps Government Running with Continuing Resolution The Federal Government has yet again started its fiscal year, which began October 1, operat- ing under a continuing resolution, which extends funding for all federal agencies and programs at FY 2014 levels through December 11, 2014. By approving a budget to keep the government op- erational through December, Congress has put off any tough fiscal decisions until after the Novem- ber elections. At that time members will no longer be on the campaign trail and will know which party will control Senate for the next two years. While Congress got off to a strong start approving a budget resolution for 2015 in January, it failed to pass a single appropriations bill. The House passed 7 of the 12 annual appropriation bills, but the Senate did not approve any. At its September meeting, the NIGMS Advi- sory Council approved a new pilot program for research funding distributed by the Institute. Replacing multiple grants, the Maximizing Inves- tigators’ Research Award (MIRA) program will provide a single award in support of all the proj- ects in an investigator’s lab that are relevant to the NIGMS mission. The MIRA awards will be given for a longer period and at a higher funding level than current average NIGMS R01 awards. The pilot program will initially be open to investigators who currently have at least two NIGMS R01s, as well as new investigators. In response to a call for comments on the pro- posed program, the Biophysical Society’s Public Affairs Committee encouraged NIGMS to care- fully evaluate the pilot program to see how it is impacting the portfolio. Specifically, the Commit- tee asked NIGMS to analyze the percentage of the budget for new/competing grants spent on MIRA NIGMS Advisory Council Approves Pilot Funding Program

Over 300 Rally for Medical Research on Capitol Hill The Biophysical Society joined more than 300 other organizations on September 18 under the banner of the “Rally for Medical Research” to urge Congress to increase our nation’s investment in medical research and, specifically, increase funding for NIH. BPS members Jenna Campbell , Boston Consulting Group, and Richard Brennan , Duke University, joined 300 individuals representing researchers, patients, survivors, clinicians, and industry repre- sentatives in visiting 200 Congressional offices to call for a stronger investment in medical research. The Rally was kicked off by a reception the eve- ning before, where attendees heard from Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), NIH Director Francis Col- lins , actress Laura Bell Bundy , and Miss USA Nia Sanchez . Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke the morning of the Hill day. In addition, President Obama sent a brief statement of support that was read at the reception.

The Congressional visits in Washington DC were accompanied by a nationwide “Day of Action.” The Society, along with other participating organi- zations, urged members to contact their represen- tatives by email, phone, and social media to urge them to increase funding for medical research.