EUROSCIENCE NFALL 2006 QUARTERLY SEE INSIDE FOR THE “We now risk losing our FY 2006 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT leadership role in science and Message from the President technology, which has in Neuroscientists Must Take Responsibility the past set the example for for Educating the Public, Advocacy other nations to follow.” The coming months provide an extraordinary chance for Society for Neuroscience members to educate the public about the importance of neuroscience and biomedi- — SfN President Stephen Heinemann cal research. We have three important opportunities: the weeks leading up to the mid-term Congressional and other elections on November 7, 2006; Brain Awareness Week next March; and fulfilling a mandate to enlist business leaders in support of federal funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foun- dation budgets early in the new year. I N T H I S I S S U E As you know, the need for public education about neuroscience and science in gener- al has never been more urgent. The United States now ranks 16 of 17 nations in the proportion of 24-year-olds who earn degrees in science and engineering, according to Message from the President ....................... 1 Continued on page 2. Q & A with Raynard Kington ...................... 1 Election Results ........................................... 8 In SfN Interview, Raynard Kington, NIH Blueprint Update .................................. 9 Deputy Director, National Institutes Results of Member Survey On Open Access, Online Publishing........... 10 of Health, Discusses Key Issues Fifth FENS Forum a Success ...................... 11 NQ: Some in the scientific community worry that the NIH roadmap is taking money away from R01 grants. You and Dr. Zerhouni have Navigation Tips for Neuroscience 2006 ... 12 said this is not the case. Specifically, what would you like our members to know that explains how the Roadmap is not taking money from R01s? Kington: We want to emphasize that the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research represented less than 1 percent of our fiscal year 2005 budget. In addition, the Roadmap will grow progressively to no more than 1.7 percent of the budget until the NIH budget again has significant growth. It is important to remember that the Road-map is not a single large project, but a series of initiatives that emerged from a dynamic process involving extensive consultations with the scientific community. Continued on page 5. Message from the President, continued from page 1 2 the 2006 National Academy which has in the past set the example for other nations of Sciences report Rising to follow. Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing Here is an outline of what Society members can do to America for a Brighter Eco- educate key public audiences about the importance of nomic Future. neuroscience research and to help reverse the grim fund- ing situation. Stephen Heinemann, “The danger exists that Ameri- SfN President cans may not know enough REACHING OUT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS about science, technology, or Our new strategic plan specifically calls for the Society mathematics to significantly contribute to, or fully to “form strategic relationships with key political leaders benefit from, the knowledge-based society that is who could and will help advance the cause of biomedical already taking shape around us,” the report says. “More- research.” over, most of us do not have enough understanding of the importance of those skills to encourage our To reverse the prevailing atmosphere in Washington, we children to study those subjects – both for their career must advocate locally in non-partisan ways for increased opportunities and for their general benefit as citizens NIH funding. The best way to do this is to develop in a democratic society. Other nations have learned long-term relationships with your elected officials in your from our history, however, and are boosting their home district. Visit your representatives in their local investments in science and engineering education office to discuss the importance of NIH funding. Invite because doing so pays immense economic and social them into your lab and show them what you do and why dividends.” it is so important, how you advance research goals and My own experiences have convinced me how serious China is about staking its future on science and technol- “The doubling of the NIH budget ogy. When I visited four years ago, it was a nation in the early stages of developing a scientific research infra- ended in 2003 with the misconception structure. But when I returned late last fall, things had among some policymakers that the changed dramatically. I saw new, well-equipped laborato- ries, which are attracting well educated scientists who agency has been “taken care of.” have been trained in the best laboratories in the US or Europe and then recruited back to China. And China is only one example. Singapore, South Korea, India, create local jobs. During this fall’s elections, tell can- and Japan also are making a strong commitment to didates across the political spectrum that NIH funding research. must be a high priority, and ask them where they stand on this issue. Work for candidates who promise strong This comes at a time when America’s most important re- support for federal biomedical research funding. Then search agency for health and biomedicine is being repeat- hold them accountable when elected. For more details on edly flat-funded. The doubling of the NIH budget ended key issues and talking points, see my Spring NQ column in 2003 with the misconception among some policymak- (online at www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=neuroscienc ers that the agency has been “taken care of.” Increases for eQuarterly_06spring_message. the past three years have been below the rate of medical research inflation. This trend is dangerous to the future To familiarize yourself with the political process, take health of the American people and economy. We now advantage of advocacy training offered by your local risk losing our leadership role in science and technology, SfN chapter or university neuroscience program. In 2005, SfN chapters in three states hosted SfN interested in the brain and want to learn much more. 3 legislative advisors Cavarocchi-Ruscio-Dennis Talking to this age group about the brain is always an Associates as part of a local advocacy training enormously rewarding experience for me. I encourage ev- initiative developed by SfN’s Government & Public ery SfN member to consider this activity as part of their Affairs Committee. This initiative educates Society duty to the field. members about advocating at a grassroots level, and provides easy “how-to’s” for meeting with your elected To enhance the quality of neuroscience information officials. For details, please e-mail SfN Director of in schools and elsewhere, the Society has recently Government & Public Affairs Allison Kupferman at embarked on several initiatives to improve neuro- [email protected]. science literacy, with a primary focus on teachers. One includes improving and expanding Brain For more tips, see SfN’s updated Guide to Public Awareness Week activities; another encourages Advocacy, which outlines the most effective methods participation in our Neuroscientist Teacher Partner for communicating with elected officials. It provides Program, www.sfn.org/ntp, which provides an oppor- tools and information for how to be a strong public tunity for members to work with K-12 teachers. SfN’s advocate. And it helps members advance issues, such Neuroscience Resources for the Classroom CD is an as the importance of biomedical research funding and invaluable aide in this regard. So too, is the journal support for the responsible use of animals in research. Cell Biology’s special issue on neuroscience education The Guide can be found on the Web at: www.sfn.org/ at www.lifescied.org/current.dtl. guide. Each year, the Society maintains a booth and organizes EDUCATING THE PUBLIC workshops and lectures at annual meetings of the Na- SfN’s new strategic plan notes that “at a time when neu- tional Science Teachers Association and at the National roscience research is yielding dynamic achievements, the Association of Biology Teachers. The booth is staffed by public has insufficient awareness of this information. The members of SfN’s Public Education & Communication Society’s efforts to translate and transmit information to Committee (PECC) who answer questions and distribute educators and others will result in improved public under- publications such as Brain Facts, Brain Briefings, Brain Re- standing about health and basic scientific processes”. The search Success Stories, and SfN’s Neuroscience Resources plan goes on to emphasize the need for “a shift . in the for the Classroom CD. professional culture of SfN members to embrace and actively participate in public communication, outreach, and educa- While the Society’s PECC is the official representative in tion about neuroscience”. Neuroscience departments and many of these areas, individual neuroscientists can make programs need to change their culture as well and recognize major contributions. This is an ambitious charge and one the importance of education and advocacy activities. that we all need to take very seriously. I encourage you to strongly consider participating in one or more of these Educational outreach by neuroscientists to key audiences programs. For more information and to participate, see the can occur at any time of the year and in many settings, educational resources posted on SfN’s Web site. including going into schools, community centers, and assisted living facilities to explain your work. All Ameri- COURTING INDUSTRY LEADERS AS ADVOCATES cans benefit from your research. They should know more A long-term goal of the Society’s Council is to enlist about neuroscience and about your work. the active support of science and health industry leaders in a coalition to advocate for strong support for the On March 14, 2006, I spoke with students at Alice Deal NIH.