Biophysical Society Newsletter - November 2014

7

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

NOVEMBER

International

awards, the ratio of awards to new/established investigators, both before and after the implementa- tion of MIRA, and changes in R01 renewal rates from year-to-year. While the goal of the program is to decrease the grant application burden on both investigators and reviewers, increase flexibility and funding stability, and better distribute limited re- sources, only careful evaluation of the program will illustrate whether that happens. NIGMS plans to issue a funding opportunity an- nouncement for the program in early 2015 and issue the first MIRA awards in FY 2016. The Institute has stated that it does plan to evaluate the program and expand it if it is found to be successful. BPS Submits Comments on OSTP Strategy for American Innovation The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Economic Council (NEC) are currently at work updating the Strategy for American Innovation, which was originally adopted in 2011 and was meant to “guide the Administration’s efforts to promote lasting eco- nomic growth and competitiveness through policies that support transformative American innovation in products, processes, and services and spur new fundamental discoveries that in the long run lead to growing economic prosperity and rising living standards.” To help inform that process, OSTP and NEC asked for input from the scientific community and the public. The questions posed by the two or- ganizations were broad in scope but asked individu- als and organizations to provide ideas and examples of what should be included in the updated strategy. In response to that request, the Biophysical Society’s Public Affairs Committee submitted comments, which strongly stated that any innovation strategy must include a strong commitment to funding fundamental science research, even before applica- tions for that knowledge are identified. The com- ments submitted can be read in full on the Society’s website. To read them go to "About Us", and select "Newsroom".

Japan Education Ministry Seeks Major Increase in STEM Funding The Education Ministry in Japan has asked the government for an 18% increase for its science and technology budget. This funding would support several major facilities, including the SPring-8 syn- chrotron and the SACLA X-ray free-electron laser. With the additional funding, the facilities could make upgrades and run for an additional 1000 and 750 hours, respectively, per year. A portion of this funding would also be allocated for continuing study into the proposed International Linear Collider. Ear- lier this year, the Japanese government established a committee to investigate the scientific case for the facility, as well as the technical issues and cost associ- ated with undertaking such a project. The proposed budget increase will be presented to the legislature in December. A recent report from the Brookings Institution entitled The Geography of Foreign Students in U.S. Higher Education: Origins and Destinations analyzes where international students in the US on F-1 visas are coming from and going to, at the city level. Previous studies have focused on countries of origin of international students, but not cities. The top five hometowns for F-1 students are Seoul, South Korea; Beijing, China; Shanghai, China; Hyderabad, India; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study found that the New York City metro area is the top destination for international students coming to the US, while the metro areas with the most dramatic increases in numbers of international students in recent years include Corvallis, Oregon; Dayton, Ohio; and Tus- caloosa, Alabama. Report Analyzes Cities of Origin of International Students in US