Life science research produces innumerable and invaluable benefits for humanity. We owe a debt of gratitude to the researchers whose curiosity and creativity have yielded therapies and technologies that have improved lives and fueled economies.
The ASBMB works to ensure that researchers’ voices are heard. Throughout the year, the ASBMB provides ways for its members to engage with Congress to ensure that their funding and policy needs are met.
The ASBMB's advocacy activities are supported by the Public Affairs Advisory Committee.
The ASBMB's policy positions
- Protect American innovators by promoting an environment supportive of discovery.
- Enact policies that strengthen the American scientific workforce.
- Provide a predictable and sustainable funding environment for biomedical research.
Podcast
Listen to the latest episode of the ASBMB's science policy podcast with Public Affairs Director Benjamin Corb.
Find all of the Pipettes & Politics episodes on Soundcloud, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Many funding agencies have released guidance and resources relating to the impact of COVID-19 on research.
Remote study sections
The coronavirus pandemic has forced federal agencies to move study sections to virtual settings, allowing reviews to continue while also allowing reviewers to follow federal guidance restricting travel and personal interactions.
In an effort to measure and understand the impact that remote peer review might have on science (positive or negative) the ASBMB encourages you to take a moment and share your thoughts and experiences regarding online study sections.
Harvard and MIT sue government to stop rule change targeting F-1 and M-1 visa holders at or heading to institutions offering only online courses this fall because of COVID-19.
While the agency has made progress with intramural cases, it has been less successful with extramural ones.
At least for now, hundreds of thousands of students can stay in school without facing new hardships.
As a result of the Trump administration’s actions and inaction, Ben Corb writes, the U.S. was late to adopt a testing protocol to help track and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The agency has investigated 189 scientists suspected of violating NIH policies and has found a majority of them guilty of failing to disclose foreign affiliations.
The Endless Frontier Act would rename, add a directorate to and pump up to $100 billion in new funding into the agency. It also would fix the uneven distribution of jobs and capital concentrated now in just a few cities.
Find answers to questions you probably have about the process, including how the NIH will fare.
Legislation introduced in Congress and a presidential proclamation aim to restrict student and research visas for Chinese graduate students.
Get involved
Advocacy toolkit
Best practices for sharing your stories with the policymakers whose decisions affect your work.
Capitol Hill Day
A program that brings trainees from across the country to meet with their congressional leaders in Washington, D.C.
Advocacy Training Program
A six-month externship that provides the skills to create change and to become a leader for those seeking to do the same.
Grassroots Advocacy Network
Sign up for alerts about the bills we're tracking and how you can help.
Advocacy in action
Position statements
The ASBMB's position on various issues relating to the scientific community.
Letters
The ASBMB engages in correspondence with members of Congress, federal agencies and various other entities.
Congressional testimony
Written testimony that representatives of the ASBMB have given at Congressional hearings.
Unlimited Potential Vanishing Opportunity
A report on the difficulties scientists face in securing federal funds for research.
Webinar
COVID-19 interruptions to NIH research
Join the ASBMB for a webinar with Michael Lauer and Jodi Black of the National Institutes of Health on understanding the funding implications of, and relief options for, the scientific community provided by the recently passed COVID-19 stimulus package — the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security or CARES Act.
Protecting American science — and the international collaborators critical to its success
A webinar on policies, new and old, to promote research security and protect against foreign influence. With guest speaker Frank H. Wu. More
Procuring, administering and negotiating corporate funding for research
This webinar explores how scientists can obtain funding from corporations and other private entities to their support research. More