Science Policy in Focus: FASEB Advocacy Town Halls

By: Ellen Kuo
Thursday, September 10, 2026

FASEB hosts biweekly Advocacy Town Halls on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at noon ET, covering timely topics of interest to the science policy and advocacy community. These events are open to the public and are not recorded, allowing for candid, off-the-record discussions with speakers and attendees.

On September 1, our Town Hall featured Miriam Quintal of Lewis-Burke Associates, a leader in National Science Foundation (NSF) advocacy and co-chair of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF). Quintal shared her analysis of the draft NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance, which will replace the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). FASEB also recently submitted comments on the draft guidance.

Upcoming Town Halls will continue to bring expert perspectives on issues affecting the research community. Diane Rish, a U.S. immigration attorney whose work focuses on strengthening innovation in the United States, will discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s final rule ending duration of status for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. The rule replaces indefinite duration-of-status admission with a fixed period tied to an individual’s program, up to four years. Rish has described the change as one of the most consequential regulatory developments affecting international students and scholars in decades. Two resources—FAQs and a rule summary—are available to help the research community better understand and navigate the new rule.

Mark your calendars for two additional Advocacy Town Halls this fall. On October 20, Jenny Luray, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Public Engagement at Research America, will discuss the educational campaign surrounding the OMB proposed rule on federal financial assistance. Then, on November 17, Federal Science Partners will join FASEB to provide a post-election update and discuss what the results could mean for the science and research community.

Don’t miss these timely conversations. Sign up for FASEB’s Advocacy Town Halls and share the series with colleagues and others in your network who may be interested.