Inside (the Beltway) Scoop

By: Ellen Kuo
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
FASEB Prepares for Capitol Hill Day

On March 13, advocates from 19 member societies under FASEB’s umbrella will go to Capitol Hill to speak to their senators and representatives about fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding priorities for foundational biological research. The scientist/advocates will also discuss with their elected officials how prior investments in scientific research have either eradicated or contained diseases once considered uncurable, such as smallpox, tuberculosis, and tetanus. 

According to Vijay Kale, MVSc, PhD, DABT, ERT, a FASEB advocate and early-career representative on the FASEB Board, “Most people, whether policymakers or the public, don’t always understand the complexity of scientific research and its tremendously positive impact on the society, and we have a responsibility through public conversations and advocacy to help describe it and explain its importance for society.” The day will end with a Capitol Hill reception featuring selected members of Congress and FASEB’s leadership. 

For FY 2025, FASEB endorses at least $51.3 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $16.7 billion for National Science Foundation, $9.5 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science, $1.05 billion for the VA Medical and Prosthetics Research program, and $500 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)  at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. These numbers are also in line with the respective coalitions of which FASEB is an active member. Additionally, funding requests letters to Congress for FY 2025 are being circulated and will be presented to Congress over the next few weeks.

As advocates wait for the presentation of the president’s budget on March 11, many organizations are already moving forward to share their recommendations with congressional offices.