Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund
Honor Mary Woolley’s Vision — Champion the Future of Research Advocacy
For more than three decades, Mary Woolley has been a tireless champion for medical and health research and science broadly. As president and CEO of Research!America, she brought together scientists, patient advocates, industry leaders, and policymakers to elevate the voices of the full research and development ecosystem and to ensure that research remains a top, immutable priority.
The Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund celebrates her extraordinary impact and lifelong commitment to advancing discovery and innovation for the public good. This fund sustains the work Mary helped build to support emerging leaders, advance public engagement by researchers, recognize accomplishments of inspiring research advocates, and accelerate the nation’s capacity to turn research into solutions that achieve better health, quality of life, prosperity and security for all.
Your contribution carries forward Mary’s work as a trailblazing advocate, ensuring that evidence, innovation, and better health for all continue to guide research policy for years to come.
About the Fund
The Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund will support programs and projects that honor Mary’s vision to:
Develop early-career researchers as advocates.
The Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund helps train and empower the next generation of research advocates through Policy & Advocacy Fellowships and Policy & Communications Internships.
These programs give students and postdoctoral scientists hands-on experience in research policy and advocacy, including mentoring from senior staff, participation in congressional meetings and hearings, involvement in major Research!America events, and opportunities to contribute to communications and policy initiatives.
Alumni of these programs have gone on to influential roles here at Research!America and across federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and science policy leadership. Your support ensures that emerging advocates gain the skills, networks, and experiences needed to advance research, innovation, and public health for years to come.
Your generous contribution to the Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund will help develop the next generations of research advocates.
“After completing my undergraduate degree, I was unsure about how to apply my science background to policy work. The [Research!America] internship offered me a window into the policy world and provided me with experience that I can apply to my work in the future.”– Former Science Policy Intern
“The [Research!America] internship was an eye-opening and formative experience that will forever be a turning point for me. With it, I am prepared to continue down the path of government affairs, working on policy approaches that tackle large-scale health issues, including care for aging populations.”– Former Science Communications Intern
Celebrate remarkable research advocates.
Research!America’s Advocacy Awards are an inspiring, powerful, and unique way to engage with key stakeholders from the medical and health research ecosystem.
With your support for programs like the Advocacy Awards, we are able to:
- Honor individuals and organizations whose leadership efforts have advanced our nation’s commitment to medical, health, and scientific research.
- Inspire the next generation of medical and health research advocates.
- Shine a spotlight on the value of scientific innovation and public health.
Mary Woolley presenting at the ASEMFL Annual Meeting in 2025.
Your support for recognizing incredible research advocates accelerates medical, public health, and scientific progress that benefits all.
Inspire researchers to engage with their communities.
The Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund helps researchers develop skills and leverage opportunities to engage their communities in meaningful dialogue about science and research.
A key example is the Civic Engagement Microgrant Program, which provides funding for STEM graduate students, professional students, and postdocs to create projects that build policy, communications, and program management skillsets while engaging public officials, community leaders, and local communities on issues of shared interest. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than 100 grants nationwide.
By supporting this fund, you help researchers extend their impact beyond the lab and clinic by fostering connections, dialogue, and public understanding, which strengthens the research ecosystem and benefits communities across the country.
Please contribute today to carry forward Mary’s vision and invest in the future of research advocacy.