Government
and Public Affairs
Government and Public
Affairs Bulletins
October, 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
NIH
FY 2009 began October 1 with Congress failing to complete action on
most federally funded agencies including the NIH. As a result a
continuing resolution (CR) will fund all programs - NIH included –
at or below 2008 funding levels through March 6. Included in the CR
are final FY’09 appropriations for the DoD, Homeland Security,, and
VA with all three receiving big increases in their R&D portfolios.
The biomedical research community had hoped that the Senate would
add $1.0 billion to the FY’09 request for the NIH, an increase of
3%. However the CR funds NIH at an annual rate of $29.5 billion
which is 0.5% less than the FY’08 level. The community had
successfully advocated a $150 million supplemental appropriation to
NIH (part of a broader supplemental bill) last June. However, even
those funds did not make it into 2009 CR. Had the Senate’s $1
billion been added into the CR, many of the ICs would have had a
budget increase of 2 to 2.5%. If the CR is extended through the
entire fiscal year it probably assures a decline in NIH funding for
the fifth consecutive year. Even roadmap increases were held level.
FDA
Under the terms of the CR, FDA will have nearly $300 million more to
spend in FY’09 than FY’08. FDA will be allowed to count supplemental
funding received on July 1 as part of its FY 2008 base. The effect
is to provide the agency with about $150 million extra in FY 2009,
assuming the CR level extends for the entire fiscal year. In
addition, the supplemental funds are available until September 30,
2009 and are largely unspent, providing an additional $150 million
to strengthen the agency. Thus, half of the new money will come from
Congress’ decision to calculate the FY 09 CR base at a higher level.
The other half would be from the FY 08 supplemental appropriation
monies. “We consider this a significant step in strengthening FDA,”
said Diane Dorman of the National Organization for Rare Disorders
and a director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA. “We are grateful
to Members of Congress and staff who once again pulled FDA out of
the hundreds of government programs and gave special consideration
to its needs.” Increased FDA funding is also an explicit commitment
of both Presidential candidates (source:
YourCandidatesYourHealth.org):
Senator McCain: I
strongly support FDA funding. We need to ensure that FDA has the
proper resources to maintain its duty as the guardians of our
nation’s drug and food supply in an era of growing global
economy. FDA can also play an important role in promoting
greater market competition, especially in drug sector, by having
more streamlined processes for drug approval. Current funding
levels for FDA are not keeping pace with accelerated drug and
device creation or the increasing globalization of food supplies
and should be increased.
Senator Obama: The Food and Drug Administration is a
critical protector of our food supply, and assures our medicines
are safe and effective. It regulates a full quarter of the
American economy. Yet the FDA is badly under funded for its
responsibilities. As our economy brings a rising tide of
imported products, the FDA urgently needs expert staff and
technology to more rigorously inspect imported food, drugs, and
other products like pet food....
Evolution Symposium at
Experimental Biology 2009
“The Evolution of Creationism” is the subject of the EB Public
Affairs Symposium to be held at EB’09 in the New Orleans Convention
Center on Monday, April 20, 2009 from 5:00-6:30 pm. Confirmed
speakers include notable experts on the subject including: Barbara
Forrest, Southeastern Louisiana University, author of Creationism’s
Trojan Horse;; Ken Miller, Brown University, author of Finding
Darwin’s God and other books on the battle over teaching evolution;
Eugenie Scot, Executive Director of the National Center for Science
Education, and author of Evolution versus Creationism (a second
edition of which is soon to be published); and Judge John E. Jones,
the Federal Judge who presided at the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover,
PA trial in 2005 that was the first direct challenge brought in US
federal courts against a school district that required the
presentation of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution.
The plaintiffs successfully argued that intelligent design is a form
of creationism and that the school board policy violated the
Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Judge Jones decision
has sparked considerable response from both supporters and critics.
Some of the subjects to be covered include how supporters of
intelligent design use academic freedom and “teach the controversy”
principles to advance their agenda and what the future holds for
science education.
Candidate Forums
John McCain and Barack Obama have responded to 14 questions about
science and technology posed by a coalition of scientific
organizations.
Senator McCain’s response:
http://sharp.sefora.org/people/presidential-candidates/john-mccain-presidential-candidate/
.
Senator Obama’s response:
http://sharp.sefora.org/people/presidential-candidates/barack-obama-presidential-candidate/
New NIH Advocacy Sites
FASEB has launched a new website
www.nihadvocacy.org as a
resource for the biomedical research advocacy community. The website
offers reports, educational materials, NIH resources, and tools for
scientist-advocates.
Summer Short Courses in
Integrative and Organ Systems Science (IOSS)
NIGMS funds four summer short courses in Integrative Organ Systems
Pharmacology. These summer short courses will be offered again in
2009 at four institutions. The purpose of each short course is to
introduce graduate students and PhDs to the knowledge and skills
needed for integrative studies of organ systems and intact animals,
and the physiological and biochemical responses of these systems to
drugs. These critical skills are in short supply. Graduate students
and PhDs. With these skills are in great demand in both academic and
industrial settings. Information:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_NIGMS_shortcourse_awards.html
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars Program
This program offers a one-year clinical research training experience
to advanced standing students in U.S. medical, osteopathic, or
dental school; or students enrolled in doctoral level programs at
U.S. schools of public health, optometry, nursing, pharmacy, or
veterinary medicine. The program provides an opportunity to
experience mentored research training at top-ranked NIH funded
research centers in a diverse group of countries. The program is
sponsored by the NIH's Fogarty International Center (FIC) in
partnership with several other institutes and centers. The program
is administered by Vanderbilt University, the Association of
American Medical Colleges, and the Association of Schools of Public
Health. Visit:
www.aamc.org/overseasfellowship
FASEB News
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/.
Also available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations
for Science Agencies and information about FASEB’s new voter
education initiative, ScienceCures.
Funding Opportunities
Exploratory Centers for Translational Research on the Clinical
Neurobiology of Drug Addiction:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-09-012.html
Roadmap Transformative R01 Program:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-08-029.html
Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Development Program :http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-266.html
Medicinal Chemistry Services for Neurotherapeutics: Request for
Information:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-NS-08-024.html
September, 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
NIH
Congress returns September 8, FY2009 begins October 1, a new
president will be elected November 4 and take office January 20, but
resolution of the NIH budget might not happen until next spring.
However, there are several moving targets that might mean more money
for NIH. At the moment, there still remains talk of a second
supplemental that would provide $500 million additional funds to the
agency. ASPET members were informed of this pending action late July
but consideration of the supplemental was postponed at the last
minute over a variety of procedural issues. An earlier supplemental
added $150 million in FY’08.
There is now almost absolute certainty for a long-term FY 2009
Continuing Resolution (CR) that would provide the funding for all
agencies beginning October 1. The terms and duration – possibly
through February or March - are not clear and are still under
discussion. CR’s typically are short term but it is unlikely that
Congress will return for a lame-duck session this fall after a brief
three-week work session. And the Democrat-controlled Congress,
cautiously anticipating a more friendly Obama administration, will
want to wait until after the elections since the party is all but
assured of picking up even more seats in the House and Senate. But
there remains a possibility that the proposed $500 million
supplemental could be added to the FY 2009 CR. The goal would be for
the CR to include the House Labor/HHS subcommittee recommended NIH
funding increase of $1.25 billion (3.9%) and add on the $500 million
proposed in the second supplemental. Senators Harkin and Specter had
originally proposed $5.2 billion to help restore purchasing power at
the NIH. Long term, the $1.25 billion plus $500 million could be
viewed as part of a “down payment” on future increases for FY 2010.
The broader biomedical research community and their supporters in
Congress will likely try to make the case that these funds are part
of the “down payment” message to help restore NIH funding levels.
The situation is still fluid and our advocacy message has not been
fully formed. But ASPET members will hear in the next couple weeks
how their communication with Congress will help to restore NIH
funding levels. Remember that the $150 million supplemental to FY’08
only came about because of biomedical research community effectively
contacting their legislators. So we will need your help again in the
coming days.
FDA
Relative to NIH, the FDA’s FY’ 09 appropriations situation is
relatively quiet. The Senate committee version of FY 09 Agriculture
Appropriations contains an increase of $325 million dollars over the
December 2007/FY 2008 baseline. The House subcommittee version
contains a similar amount, both substantial increases for FDA. It
is not clear if there would be any supplemental funding for FDA.
NIMH Strategic Plan
The National Institute of Mental Health Strategic Plan is now
available to review at:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports. This
document represents the culmination of a year-long initiative
launched by NIMH to develop a new Strategic Plan that will serve as
a guide to the Institute for advancing mental health science over
the next 5 years.
Association of American Medical Colleges Report on Education in
Safe and Effective Prescribing Practices
AAMC report addresses the consensus that graduating medical
students, residents, and practicing physicians lack fundamental
understanding and training in pharmacotherapy and rational
prescribing. View the report at
http://www.aamc.org/meded/msop
Animal Research Web Sites
The United Kingdon’s Research Defense Society allows
contributions/materials from scientists worldwide on the
contributions of animal research to medical advances.
http://www.animalresearch.info/en/home. Also, NIH’s Office
of Extramural Research has launched a new animal research website
which includes resources for scientists and institutions, as well as
the public. The site offers information and resources for
researchers and institutions that have come under attack by animal
rights extremists:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/air/index.htm
EB Public Affair Session
“The Evolution of Creationism” will be the subject of the 2009
Experimental Biology Meeting Public Affairs Workshop held April 20
from 5:00 – 6:30 in New Orleans. The agenda is not yet finalized but
includes noted defenders of evolutionary science such as Ken Miller
of Brown University and Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the
National Center for Science Education. Some of the subjects to be
covered include how supporters of intelligent design use academic
freedom and “teach the controversy” principles to advance their
agenda and what the future holds for science education.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
Nominations for NAS 2009 Richard Lounsbery Award
The Lounsbery Award is given annually to recognize extraordinary
scientific achievement by French and American Scientists in biology
and medicine. The Award is presented with a prize of $50,000 as
well as an additional $20,000 to fund further research.
http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AWARDS_main
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/.
Also available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations
for Science Agencies and information about FASEB’s new voter
education initiative, ScienceCures.
Funding Opportunities
A new issue of the NIGMS Feedback Loop electronic newsletter is
posted:
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/loop/20080708.html
National Cooperative Drug Discovery and Development Groups (NCDDDG)
for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-238.html
Metals in Medicine:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-251.html
Mechanisms of Adverse Drug Effects in Children:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-248.html
Medications Development Centers of Excellence:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-09-002.html
July-August, 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report
Appropriations
Update NIH
The past five years have been one disappointing blow after another
with respect to funding levels for NIH. Finally there is some good
news. The FY’08 Supplemental Appropriations Bill has at last been
resolved and NIH will receive an additional $150 million. The bill
overall contains $400 million for research, including more money for
NSF, DOE and NASA (the bill contains $162 billion to finance the war
in Iraq and an additional $95 billion for domestic priorities
unrelated to military operations but including expansion of
veteran’s GI bill benefits). There was considerable debate among
Members of Congress objecting over the “extra” spending in the
supplemental bill. Many programs and agencies did not make the
cut. The fact that science research did might signal a recognition
and shift by Congress that recent flat funding levels are not in the
nation’s long-term interest. The President signed the supplemental
bill into law June 30.
Another encouraging turn for NIH and
the nation’s research enterprise came in late June as the Senate
Appropriations Committee approved its FY’09 Labor/HHS-Education bill
(this bill funds NIH). The bill provides an increase of $1.025
billion (3.5%) over both the FY’08 funding level and the President’s
FY’09 request. In the House, the Committee markup of their Labor-HHS
bill ended shortly after partisan fighting over unrelated amendments
to the Interior appropriations bill. As a result, the Chairman of
the House Appropriations Committee, David Obey (D-WI) has threatened
to not move the bill forward. In any event, the House version of
the Labor-HHS bill includes an increase of $1.150 billion (3.9%)
over the FY’08 funding level and the President's FY’09 request. The
House bill is $125 million more than the Senate bill.
These potential increases are
encouraging. However, there is essentially no chance final spending
decisions will be made by the beginning of the FY’09 year that
begins October 1. And it is most likely that final spending
decisions on these bills will be resolved only after a new
administration and congress takes office in January. In that case,
a Continuing Resolution could fund the NIH at the FY’08 level thru
spring. Like past years, politics and the state of the economy will
impact the final spending decisions in the months ahead. To protect
these increases it will be important for the biomedical research
community in the coming months to make the case to lawmakers to
support the NIH.
FDA
The FY’08 supplemental provides FDA with an additional $150
million. FDA has gained $295 million in FY 2008, almost a 20%
increase above FY’08. For FY’09, the potential exists to see an
additional $329 million added to the agency as recommended by the
House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Altogether, this
would bring the agency’s total to $2.040 billion in FY 09 and would
be only $50 million less than the ambitious FY’09 request for the
FDA made by the FDA Science Board.
IUPHAR Newsletter
The June 2008 issue of Pharmacology International, the IUPHAR
newsletter is available at
http://www.iuphar.org/pubs_newsletter.html.
NIH Acts to Implement Enhanced
Peer Review
NIH completed their year-long examination of current NIH peer-review
processes and will begin to implement the recommendations, which
address four major priorities: Engaging the best reviewers, Improve
Quality and Transparency of Reviews, Ensure Balanced and Fair
Reviews Across Scientific Fields and Career Stages, and Continuously
Review Peer Review. Details:
http://nexus.od.nih.gov/nexus/nexus.aspx?ID=72&Month=6&Year=2008
ASPET-IOSS Fund
Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/. Also available are links to the FASEB
FY2009 Funding Recommendations for Science Agencies and information
about FASEB’s new voter education initiative, ScienceCures.
Funding
Opportunities
Medications Development for Polydrug
Addiction Treatment.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-08-187.html
June, 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report
Appropriations Update
A supplemental FY’08 appropriations bill containing $1.2 billion for
science programs, including $400 million for the NIH is winding its
way through the House and Senate. The supplemental bill is intended
to pay for emergency war costs. The Senate approved the amendment by
a vote of 75-22 to its emergency FY 2008 supplemental appropriations
package. The House version does not include science funding found in
the Senate bill. The full House has not yet approved their package
but may do so shortly. ASPET members can call their Representatives
(US Capitol switchboard tel: 202-224-3121) to support H.R. 2642, the
Senate-Approved FY2008 supplemental appropriations bill that
provides critical funding for the NIH.
Both bills will ultimately be “conferenced” to iron out the
differences in the spending bills. The Senate bill’s science funding
may not become part of the House bill or survive the conference
without input from the research community. The President has already
promised to veto any supplemental bill that includes significant
non-war funding. However, in this election year, there may be enough
votes to override any anticipated veto.
Congress also reached agreement on a final FY 2009 budget
resolution, allowing the Appropriations Committees to begin work on
the FY’09 spending bills. The budget resolution is merely a
non-binding blueprint guiding appropriators who make the ultimate
funding decisions. The FY’09 budget resolution provides $21 billion
more than the President’s request. However, many agencies, including
the NIH, would face flat or reduced budgets. The hope is that the
extra $21 billion would allow appropriators to increase NIH. In any
event, last year’s budget began in similar fashion with Bush vetoing
appropriations bills that exceeded his requests and Congress did not
have the will or enough votes to override. Look for more of the same
this fall and winter. With the elections coming and a new occupant
in the White House assured, NIH’s FY’09 budget situation likely
won’t be resolved until next spring.
International Conference on Translational Pharmacology
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India is
organizing an International Conference on Translational
Pharmacology and 41st Annual Conference of the Indian
Pharmacological Society from December 16 – 20th, 2008. Details:http://www.ips-aiims.com
US Boosts Screening Conditions on Visa-Free Travel
The State Department has announced that, beginning in August, 2008,
visitors traveling to the U.S. from visa waiver countries (i.e.,
Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) will have to register online 3 days
in advance of travel. This rule will be mandatory by January 12,
2009. Organizations, institutions expecting a large number of
attendees from these countries to meetings should include
information about the new rule in pre-meeting materials. In
addition, because these agreements are typically done on a
reciprocity basis, it is likely U.S. visitors to countries for which
they do not need a visa, such as those in western Europe, will soon
have to start registering in advance of travel. For the official
announcement about the new system, called the Electronic System for
Travel Authorization (ESTA), as well as a link to a list of visa
waiver countries, please click here:http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
Training Opportunity: NIGMS Summer Short Courses in Integrative &
Organ Systems Pharmacology
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences will once again
fund four summer short courses that provide specialized training for
using intact organ system and in vivo animal models in the conduct
of research. The purpose of each short course is to introduce
graduate students, post-docs and Ph.Ds to the knowledge and skills
needed for integrative studies of organ systems and intact animals,
and the physiological and biochemical responses of these systems to
drugs. These critical skills are in short supply. Graduate students
and Ph.Ds. with these skills are in great demand in both academic
and industrial settings. Summer Short Courses in Integrative and
Organ Systems Science are available at Michigan State University,
University of California at San Diego, University of Nebraska
Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Please view:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_NIGMS_shortcourse_awards.html
. NIGMS is planning to continue the summer short courses from 2009
-2012.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/ . Also
available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations for
Science Agencies and information about FASEB’s new voter education
initiative, ScienceCures.
May, 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
A House bill that would have
increased the set-aside for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
from 2.5% to 3.0% of the research budget of each agency failed.
However, Rep. Vern Ehlers’ (R-MI) amendment, supported by the AAU,
AAMC and FASEB, stripped the increase from a committee
reauthorization bill. Had the provision not been removed by
amendment, passage of the set-aside increase would have essentially
cut funding for other research programs at all agencies by $650
million.
There is also a supplemental spending bill being negotiated that is,
not surprisingly, grinding forward with debates over priorities and
war spending. There is potential for increased funding for
biomedical research in the supplemental bill, but that might be
difficult to realize. Nonetheless, a push has been made to
Congressional leaders and appropriators to consider additional funds
for NIH. There will be no progress on the actual FY 2009
Appropriations bills (exception is the Defense bill) until the
Supplemental is completed.
ASPET Letter Supports Passage of Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act
The Senate finally passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
Act (GINA) by a vote of 95-0. The House also approved the bill
414-1. The President is expected to sign the bill. GINA prohibits
health insurance companies from using genetic information to deny
benefits and raise premiums for individual policies, and makes it
illegal for employers to use genetic information to make decisions
about hiring, firing or compensation. One of the obstacles for the
translation of pharmacogenetics to clinical practice is the risk for
the misuse of genetic information in health insurance and employment
decisions. Passage of GINA will “help researchers and clinicians to
actively encourage Americans to participate in clinical trials
without the fear of genetic discrimination,” said Joann Boughman,
Ph.D,, executive vice president of the American Society of Human
Genetics. Read ASPET’s letter of support for passage of the
legislation:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_pos_test.html
Global Alliance for
Pharmacogenomics
NIGMS and two other NIH institutes recently signed a letter of
intent with the Center for Genomic Medicine in Japan to create a
Global Alliance for Pharmacogenomics. The alliance will identify
genetic factors that contribute to individual responses to
medicines, with the eventual goal of helping doctors optimize the
safety and effectiveness of drugs for each patient. A news release
on the alliance is at:
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/News/Results/GAP-JAPAN04142008.htm
NIDA Director Testimony on the
Pharmacology of Addiction
NIDA Director Nora Volkow testified in front of the U.S. Senate
Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs regarding the
scope, pharmacology, and health consequences of cocaine abuse and
addiction.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/Testimony/2-12-08Testimony.html
Great Ape Protection Act
The Great Ape Protection Act (HR 5852) was introduced by Rep. Towns
(D-NY) would potentially prohibit the conduct of invasive research
on chimpanzees, gorillas, and other non-human primates. The bill
could affect the ability of researchers to perform non-invasive
behavioral research since it would prevent even blood draws.
Additionally, it would mandate federally-supported, permanent
retirement for all great apes currently used in federally-funded
research. The bill’s prospects are relatively remote at this stage.
But passage would have an important effect on research and public
health. ASPET is working with a broad coalition of interested
organizations to monitor this legislation.
Training Opportunity: NIGMS Summer Short Courses in Integrative &
Organ Systems Pharmacology
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences will once
again fund four summer short courses that provide specialized
training for using intact organ system and in vivo animal models in
the conduct of research. The purpose of each short course is to
introduce graduate students, post-docs and Ph.Ds to the knowledge
and skills needed for integrative studies of organ systems and
intact animals, and the physiological and biochemical responses of
these systems to drugs. These critical skills are in short supply.
Graduate students and Ph.Ds. with these skills are in great demand
in both academic and industrial settings. Summer Short Courses in
Integrative and Organ Systems Science are available at Michigan
State University, University of California at San Diego, University
of Nebraska Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. Please view:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_NIGMS_shortcourse_awards.html.
NIGMS is planning to continue the summer short courses from 2009
-2012.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/.
Also available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations
for Science Agencies and information about FASEB’s new voter
education initiative, ScienceCures.
Funding Opportunities
Toxicological Evaluation of Potential Medications to Treat Drug
Addiction
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-08-025.html
Pharmacologic Agents and Drugs for Mental Disorders
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-142.html
April 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
179 House members signed a March 19 letter to the House
Appropriations Committee leadership requesting a 6.5% increase for
the FY’09 NIH budget. The letter, sent to Reps. David Obey (D-WI)
and Jerry Lewis (R-CA), chair and ranking member, respectively of
the House Appropriations Committee, notes the Administration's
proposal to fund NIH at the current level "is deeply troubling given
the high rate of biomedical inflation.” Read ASPET’s written
testimony to the House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee
supporting a 6.5% increase:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_pos_test.html
NIH Seeks Input on Current Needs in Pharmacogenomics Research
NIH invites responses from the scientific community, scientific
organizations, pharmaceutical companies, Federal Agencies, and other
interested parties well-versed in the areas of pharmacogenetics and
pharmacogenomics, to help identify crucial needs, gaps and
roadblocks to PGx research. NIH wants to identify ways in which the
agency can effectively and efficiently address these barriers.
Response due by April 30. View details at:
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-GM-08-125.html
ACTION ALERT
Legislative Action Needed to Pass Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act
A major obstacle for the translation of Pharmacogenetics to clinical
practice is the well-recognized risk for the misuse of genetic
information for the purposes of making health insurance and/or
employment decisions. Although there has been widespread legislative
support for Genetic Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) in the House, it
has yet to be passed by the Senate. Given the importance this issue
has for an important advancement for Pharmacology, all ASPET members
are encouraged to contact their Senators urging them to vote on
passage of the bill. Action in the Senate has been delayed by the
objections of one Senator (Coburn, R-OK). The only chance for
passing the bill in the Senate is to bring the bill to a floor vote
through a procedural mechanism in the next week or so. Senator Reid
(D-NV), the Senate Majority Leader can bring the bill to the floor,
but will do so only if he hears about GINA from different
constituencies. ASPET members in Nevada are urged to contact Senator
Reid’s office (tel: 202-224-3542) and ask that he bring the Genetic
Nondiscrimination Act (S.358) to the Senate Floor. All other ASPET
members should contact their respective Senate offices this week.
Ask your Senator(s) to contact Senator Reid’s office to encourage
him (Sen.Reid) to bring the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
Act to the floor. Your Senator’s phone numbers can be found at:
http://geneticfairness.org/senator_list.html. Background
information on this issue can be viewed at:
http://www.geneticfairness.org/.
ACTION ALERT
ASPET Florida Members Needed to Defend Teaching of Evolution
There are currently two bills in the Florida House and Senate that
threaten the science curriculum in Florida’s public schools. Both
bills are entitled the "Academic Freedom Act." The bills, if passed,
would provide cover for the teaching of religious beliefs as science
in Florida's science classrooms. The bills would authorize the
"right to present scientific information relevant to the full range
of views on biological and chemical origins. Prohibit a teacher from
being discriminated against for presenting such information.
Prohibit students from being penalized for subscribing to a
particular position on evolution, etc." Creationists are working
under the guise of "academic freedom" to legally authorize the
teaching of inherently unscientific doctrine in science classes. If
passed, Teachers or administrators could use these bills to defend
the presentation of oft-refuted creationist attacks on evolutionary
sciences. The bills authorize the teaching of a "full range of views
on biological and chemical evolution," that would allow for
creationist and intelligent design ideology at the expense of
rigorously peer-reviewed material. Both bills also claim to protect
teachers and students from discrimination for their beliefs,
suggesting that discrimination exists where it does not, and to draw
attention away from the subject matter of creationism. ASPET members
in Florida are urged to contact their Legislators to convey your
strong support for science in Florida classrooms and opposition to
SB2692 and HB1483. To find your legislator, view: [House]
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SECTIONS/Representatives/representatives.aspx
and [Senate]
http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Mode=Member
Pages&Submenu=1&Tab=legislators&CFID=78606717&CFTOKEN=34571278.
Whether you call or write, state that you are opposed to the
Academic Freedom Act (Senate Bill 2692 / House Bill 1483). If
passed, this Act would provide cover for teaching religious beliefs
as science in Florida public schools and, in doing so, impair
students’ critical thinking skills, their ability to differentiate
scientific from non-scientific information, their success in the
21st century workplace; impact our state's economy that increasingly
rests on scientific industry and on the cultivation of scientific
knowledge in our classrooms. Although scientists continue to
question certain aspects of evolutionary science and conduct
research to explore its ramifications, the core elements of
evolution as presented in textbooks today have been repeatedly
tested and verified. Good science education includes teaching
evolution – it is not a matter of “academic freedom.” Students
should be tested on their knowledge of these well-understood
concepts, as embodied in the recently-passed state science
standards, and legislators should insist that students spend their
valuable classroom time learning, through classwork and homework,
the best knowledge that centuries of scientific investigation have
placed before them.
Farm Bill and Class B Dealers for
Research
The Farm Bill appears to be moving forward. This may present the
final opportunity to remove language prohibiting the use of
non-purpose bred animals from Class B dealers for research. We have
been informed that the offices of Senators Harkin (D-IA), Leahy
(D-VT), and Stabenow (D-MI) may be crucial in assuring this
provision does not move forward. FASEB has set up an legislative
alert on the FASEB Capwiz site for members from Iowa, Vermont, and
Michigan to take action:
http://capwiz.com/faseb/issues/alert/?alertid=11261751&type=CO
Training Opportunity: NIGMS Summer
Short Courses in Integrative & Organ Systems Pharmacology
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences will once
again fund four summer short courses that provide specialized
training for using intact organ system and in vivo animal models in
the conduct of research. The purpose of each short course is to
introduce graduate students, post-docs and Ph.Ds to the knowledge
and skills needed for integrative studies of organ systems and
intact animals, and the physiological and biochemical responses of
these systems to drugs. These critical skills are in short supply.
Graduate students and Ph.Ds. with these skills are in great demand
in both academic and industrial settings. Summer Short Courses in
Integrative and Organ Systems Science are available at Michigan
State University, University of California at San Diego, University
of Nebraska Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. Please view:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_NIGMS_shortcourse_awards.html.
NIGMS is planning to continue the summer short courses from 2009
-2012.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application, information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
Schedule of National Animal Welfare Education Programs. Workshops
and Conferences
View:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-043.html
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/.
Also available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations
for Science Agencies and the launch of FASEB’s new voter education
initiative, ScienceCures.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
New Award for Early Career Faculty.
The award is aimed at researchers who have run their own labs for
two to six years and are at a critical point in establishing their
own independent research programs. HHMI plans to select as many as
70 early career scientists from a wide range of scientific
disciplines relevant to biological and medical inquiry. Scientists
will receive six-year, non-renewable appointments to HHMI and
substantial research support necessary to move their research in
creative, new directions. HHMI will invest more than $300 million in
this first group of scientists and plans a second competition in
2011. Visit:
http://www.hhmi.org/research/competitions/earlycareer2009/.
Funding Opportunities
Toxicological Evaluation of Potential Medications to Treat Drug
Addiction
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-08-025.html
Pharmacologic Agents and Drugs for Mental Disorders
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-142.html
March 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
The President’s FY’09 budget was
released last month. The request for NIH is $29.2 billion which is
equal to the FY’08 appropriation. The biomedical research community
is advocating for an increase in the NIH by $1.9 billion in FY’09.
The President’s proposed budget is the 6th consecutive year that the
NIH does not keep pace with inflation. If the President’s FY’09
budget were to become law it would amount to NIH losing nearly 14%
of its purchasing power to inflation over the past six years. FASEB,
the National Health Council, The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research,
the Campaign for Medical Research, and Research!America have issued
a joint statement urging Congress to accelerate medical progress by
increasing investment in the NIH:http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_pos_test.html
The President’s budget proposal for FDA is $2.4 billion. This
includes an appropriation of $1.77 billion and $628 million in user
fees (a 3.1% and 14.4% increase, respectively) over the FY’08 level.
The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is advocating for a $2.1 billion
FY’09 appropriation, approximately a $380 million increase above the
president’s level, not including user fees. For additional
information on FDA funding visit: <www.StrengthenFDA.org> The Bush
budget is dead on arrival. But even lame-duck presidents can still
veto appropriations bills. President Bush will continue to do so
until he leaves office in January 2009 and he will almost certainly
veto any spending bill that is over his requested spending level.
Once again, the likelihood of greater than inflation adjusted
budgets is remote. It is possible a new president could enact an
increase in some discretionary spending accounts upon taking office
next January if the FY’09 budget is still not resolved. The new
fiscal year begins October 1 but there will almost certainly be
another in a series of continuing resolutions passed to keep
government agencies operating well past October 1.
Training Opportunity: NIGMS Summer
Short Courses in Integrative & Organ Systems Pharmacology
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences will once again
fund four summer short courses that provide specialized training for
using intact organ system and in vivo animal models in the conduct
of research. The purpose of each short course is to introduce
graduate students and Ph.Ds to the knowledge and skills needed for
integrative studies of organ systems and intact animals, and the
physiological and biochemical responses of these systems to drugs.
These critical skills are in short supply. Graduate students and
Ph.Ds. with these skills are in great demand in both academic and
industrial settings. Summer Short Courses in Integrative and Organ
Systems Science are available at Michigan State University,
University of California at San Diego, University of Nebraska
Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Please view:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_NIGMS_shortcourse_awards.html.
NIGMS is planning to continue the summer short courses from 2009
-2012.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
Schedule of National Animal Welfare Education Programs. Workshops
and Conferences
View:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-043.html
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/ . Also
available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations for
Science Agencies and the launch of FASEB’s new voter education
initiative, ScienceCures.
February 2008
ASPET Government and Public Affairs Report Appropriations Update
NIH Appropriations
Congress at last finished its work on the FY’08 budget combining
eleven appropriations bills into one large omnibus legislative bill.
NIH receives $28,942 billion in FY’08. This amounts to a $329
million increase; however NIH is being asked to transfer $196
million to the Global Aids Fund. Taking into account the transfer,
NIH’s increase is just 0.46%, a $133 million increase.
NIGMS Renews RFA for Short Courses in Integrative and Organ Systems
Pharmacology
Details:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html or
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-08-010.html.
All inquiries should be directed to Richard T. Okita, Ph.D.- Program
Director, NIGMS - Tel: 301-594-3827 - Fax: 301-480-2802 -
okitar@nigms.nih.gov.
ASPET-IOSS Fund Application Guidelines
The ASPET-IOSS Fund was created to provide support for graduate
students and post-doctoral researchers seeking training in
integrative whole organ systems sciences. The fund is currently
supported by Abbott Laboratories, Merck Research Laboratories,
Pfizer and Wyeth Research. The goal is to help augment developing
programs (see above) that provide training of students in this
field. For application information, visit:
http://www.aspet.org/public/public_affairs/pa_ioss.html
FDA Coalitions Merge
Two organizations dedicated to advocating for greater congressional
funding levels for the FDA have merged to form the Alliance for a
Stronger FDA. ASPET remains a member of this organization (previous
affiliation was the former FDA Alliance) and has assisted in various
grassroots efforts. The new alliance hopes to deliver more
consistent messages to the public, media, congress, and the
Administration. The Alliance for a Stronger FDA website is expected
to be updated in the next few days:
www.StrengthenFDA.org
AAMC Symposium: The Scientific Basis of Influence and Reciprocity
AAMC has published the findings of a symposium on the scientific
basis of influence and reciprocity. The symposium, held in June
2007, summarized the latest evidence from neuroscience and the
behavioral sciences that addresses the challenges to objectivity
presented by gifts, favors, and influence in academic medicine. The
symposium report is available for free online. View:
http://www.aamc.org/reciprocity NIH Issues Revised Policy
Statement on Public Access
Public Access
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jan. 11 issued a revised
policy statement reflecting that compliance with the agency's
"public access" rules is now required by statute, specifically the
recent "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008." The legislation
requires that all investigators funded by NIH ensure that an
electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts
accepted for publication is submitted to the National Library of
Medicine within 12 months of the official date of publication.
New NCCAM Director
Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., was named director of the National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). An accomplished
researcher and physician, Dr. Briggs brings a focus on translational
research to the study of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM) to help build a fuller understanding of the usefulness and
safety of CAM practices: Visit:
http://nccam.nih.gov/about/director/
USP Announces 2008 Internships
USP has six summer internships that will begin May 18 and continue
until mid-August at USP Headquarters in Rockville, MD. The USP 2008
Summer Internship Program offers the opportunity for students to
spend twelve weeks at USP working on a defined project that will
assist USP in the areas of: Quality of Manufactured Medicines
(including biologic and veterinary medicines),Quality of Compounded
Medicines (human and veterinary), Quality of Food Ingredients and
Dietary Supplements, Quality of Patient Care, Global Public Health,
and Public Health Policy. Details:
http://www.usp.org/aboutUSP/careers/internship.html. The
deadline for submitting applications is February 15, 2008.
ASPET Co-signs Letter to Texas
Education Agency /Evolution Controversy
A letter co-signed by ASPET and other professional societies to the
Texas Education Agency (TEA) expresses concern over the forced
resignation of the agency’s Director of Science who was disciplined
for sending an email advertising a talk by a proponent of evolution
education. The Texas Education Agency said that the Director’s email
implies that the TEA endorses the speaker’s position on a subject on
which the agency must remain neutral. The letter states that “it is
unacceptable for the TEA to remain neutral on the topic of
evolution.” View:
http://opa.faseb.org/pdf/2008/Evolution%20letter%20Castillo-Comer-Final.pdf.
See related link:
http://opa.faseb.org/pages/PolicyIssues/sciencecoalition.htm for
article concerning the coalition of scientific societies (includes
ASPET) Evolution in Science Survey.
FASEB NEWS
For FASEB biweekly news from Capitol Hill:
http://opa.faseb.org/.
Also available are links to the FASEB FY2009 Funding Recommendations
for Science Agencies and the launch of FASEB’s new voter education
initiative, ScienceCures.
Funding Opportunities
Drug Docking and Screening Data
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-08-008.html
Assessment of Potential Cocaine Pharmacotherapies in Monkeys
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DA-08-024.html
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