OMB Comment Deadline Approaching
We are starting to see bipartisan political pushback to a proposed OMB rule that has been a major focus of advocacy the last few weeks. It’s an encouraging sign that advocacy is working. First, all 47 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus signed a letter signaling their opposition to the OMB rule. Then, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to the OMB asking them for an extension to the comment period and the withdrawal of “portions of the rule that would unduly burden scientific and biomedical research and small communities.” We are encouraged by these letters and by a congressional sign-on letter with 125 House Democrat signatories.
Unless an extension is granted, the deadline to submit comments ends July 13.
Russ’s Corner
Earlier this week we saw yet another news report (subscription required) about a sharp decline in the number of students admitted to Ph.D. programs in the U.S. We are now far beyond the point of worrying that China may take the global lead in research and innovation. This is the national security equivalent of what in soccer is called an own goal. But this is no game. Let’s not lose sight of who stands to lose the most: current and future patients…all of us.
We know what sustained, rigorous medical research can achieve: More than 85% of children diagnosed with cancer now survive into adulthood. Children with cystic fibrosis who once rarely reached adulthood are now living into their 60s. And there are many more success stories like these.
Chaos, unpredictability, and shrinking the number of grant awards will not produce breakthroughs for the next generation. And choking the pipeline of American researchers will hurt our nation for years to come.
We cannot flag in our efforts. If you haven’t filed a comment, please see our resource page and do so before Monday’s July 13 deadline.
Our work will not end Monday. If OMB doesn’t withdraw the proposed rule, our collective advocacy efforts will only intensify. But today, if you would like to make a comment on the proposed rule and need assistance, we can help. Together, we can turn the tide.
Russ
CDC Confirmation Hearing: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next director of the CDC. The hearing is slated for Wednesday, July 15, at 10 a.m. ET and can be viewed here.
Learning Opportunity for Early Career Scientists: Join Research!America for the first session of our From Bench to Impact Learning Lunch Series on July 15, at 12:30 p.m. ET. We are bringing together early career scientists from diverse backgrounds and career pathways to share their experiences navigating science, finding purpose, and creating impact beyond the laboratory. Whether you are an undergraduate researcher, graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or early-career scientist, this session is an opportunity to connect with peers, learn from scientists across sectors, and share your own scientific journey. Register here.
Nominate an Advocacy Champion: Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate those who are championing medical research and innovation in America. Who will be among the next Research!America Advocacy Award honorees? Our Advocacy Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose commitment to advocacy for research and innovation has advanced medical, public health, and scientific progress in profoundly important ways. Take a look at the award descriptions and submit your nominations now. The deadline is Friday, July 17.
Additional Requests for Information: Several federal agencies are seeking input on issues that could shape the future of research, health, and innovation.
- Drug Repurposing: The FDA is seeking input on how to address barriers impeding the repurposing of current medicines for new uses. Comments are due July 13. Read Research!America’s comments here.
- Limits on Research Grants: NIH is seeking public input on a proposed policy that would cap the number of Research Project Grants (RPGs) that a single principal investigator can hold simultaneously. Comments are due Aug. 3. More information can be found here.
- Measuring Scientific Impact: NIH has issued a new Request for Information on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact, part of its broader Replication and Reproducibility Initiative. The territory the request covers is significant – in importance and scope, both – with questions related to how scientific contributions should be measured, recognized, and incentivized across the biomedical research enterprise. Comments are due Aug. 19.
Support Our Advocacy Work: Your support is critical to our advocacy efforts. Research!America is working every day to ensure our nation’s discovery, development, and innovation ecosystem not only survives, but thrives. Working together, we can make medical research and public health, as well as overall science and technology progress, a higher national priority. Donate now.