Volume 35 (2016)
Tri-Caucus Introduces 2016 Health Equity and Accountability Act
On June 15, led by Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL), members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) (H.R. 5475). The groups, also known as the Congressional Tri-Caucus, have introduced versions of the legislation since 2007, which has served to inform other health-related legislation considered by the Congress, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Introducing the bill, Rep. Kelly, chair of the CBC Health Braintrust, noted that HEAA âis a reminder that there is much work to be done to improve health…
NSF Seeking Division Director for Undergraduate Education
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a nationwide search to fill the position of Division Director for the Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR). The selected candidate will lead the activities of the Division, assess its needs and trends, and collaborate with other senior leaders across the directorates of NSF. Qualified candidates should possess a record of leadership and achievement in academe, government, or not-for-profit research and education endeavors, specifically directed at the enhancement of undergraduate STEM research. Additionally, qualified candidates must be experienced in technical, financial, and administrative management. Details can…
PCORI Announces Commitments in Support for Cancer Moonshot Initiative
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has released its plans to support the Vice Presidentâs Cancer Moonshot Initiative. PCORIâs National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) has committed to (1) enhancing its national data network to facilitate large-scale cancer research; (2) creating data tables that describe characteristics of patient cohorts treated for the most common types of cancer; and (3) establishing a Cancer Collaborative Research Group within PCORnet to assist in identifying research questions, developing approaches to integrate big data in cancer prevention and treatment, and reducing disparities. More about PCORIâs support for the Cancer Moonshot is available on its website….
Video Shares Insights into NIH Grant Application and Peer Review Process
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review (CSR) recently posted a video compiling insights from individuals who have participated in the NIHâs peer review process, including peer reviewers, study section chairs, and NIH staff. The video is designed to guide applicants in planning and writing a competitive grant application, including writing the summary and specific aims sections of the application; explaining why the research is essential; and the importance of explaining proposed techniques, among other suggestions. The video is part of CSRâs Insiderâs Guide to Peer Review for Applicants. Back to this issueâs table of contents.
Academies Report Recommends Abandoning Proposed Changes to the Common Rule
On June 29, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released part 2 of its report Optimizing the Nationâs Investment in Academic Research (the first part had been released in 2015). Of particular significance to the social and behavioral science research community is a chapter within the report on the âEthical, Legal, and Regulatory Framework for Human Subjects Research.â In it, the panel issues a stinging criticism of the Department of Health and Human Servicesâ (HHS) September 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects. The chapter argues that the NPRM…
National Academies Seeks New DBASSE Director
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine is searching for its next Executive Director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE). The DBASSE Executive Director is responsible for executing the vision and strategy for division activities, directing the financial and budgetary efforts of both the Division and specific projects, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with government agencies, professional organizations, and academics. Substantial knowledge in the fields of social science, behavioral science, and/or education, a Ph.D. or Mastersâ degree, and a minimum of 16 years of professional experience are required. More information can be…
CNSF Releases Statement on American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), of which COSSA is an active member, released a statement on July 6 regarding the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (S. 3084). This legislation, which was approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 29, includes language authorizing the National Science Foundation (NSF); check out COSSAâs analysis for full details. The CNSF statement highlights the important role of the NSF in the U.S. innovation and research enterprise and requests that the Senate extend the length of NSFâs authorization past the two years currently provided in the bill. CNSF also thanks…
Congressional Briefing Explores Groundbreaking Research on the Health of the Aging
On June 30, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with Friends of the National Institute on Aging (FoNIA) hosted an educational briefing on Capitol Hill on âAdvancing the health of an aging population: Groundbreaking Research Supported by the NIA.â FoNIA is a broad-based coalition of aging, disease, research, and patient groups that supports the mission of the Institute; COSSA is a longstanding member. The briefing continues the series of annual FoNIA Congressional briefings designed to share the latest aging research with Congress and its staff. Presenters included NIA Director Richard Hodes; NIA Deputy…
Funding Opportunity Announcements
NSF: Dear Colleague Letter: Change Makers (NSF-16-109) NIH opportunities: Â NIH: Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Contraception and Infertility Research (LRP-CIR) (NOT-OD-16-115) NIH: Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP-CR) (NOT-OD-16-116) NIH: Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Research (LRP-PR) (NOT-OD-16-117) NIH: Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research (LRP-HDR) (NOT-OD-16-118) NIH: Extramural Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (LRP-IDB) (NOT-OD-16-119) NIMH: Advanced Laboratories for Accelerating the Reach and Impact of Treatments for Youth and Adults with Mental Illness (ALACRITY) Research Centers (P50) (PAR-16-354) NIMHD/NCI: Social Epigenomics Research Focused on Minority Health and Health…
AERA Briefing Examines the Supreme Court Decision in Fisher v. UT Austin
On June 28, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) held a briefing, After Fisher: What the Supreme Courtâs Ruling Means for Students, Colleges, and the Country, to discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin (Fisher II). A distinguished panel of civil rights and education research experts focused on the impact of the Fisher II ruling and its implications for ensuring quality education for all students. The Courtâs June 23 ruling reaffirmed âthe compelling governmental interest in promoting student-body diversity in higher education and upheld the constitutionality of the Universityâs race-conscious admissions policy under the…
Events Calendar
Joint Statistical Meetings, Chicago, IL, July 30-August 4, 2016 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Denver, CO, August 4-7, 2016 Rural Sociological Society Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, August 16-19, 2016 American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, August 20-23, 2016 American Political Science Association Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Philadelphia, PA, September 1-4, 2016 Economic History Association Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO, September 16-18, 2016 A list of COSSA membersâ annual meetings and other events can be found on the COSSA website. COSSA members who have an upcoming event they would like to see listed in the Events Calendar and on our website should send an email to jmilton@cossa.org….
COSSA Washington Update, Volume 35 Issue 13
Featured News Senate Introduces âCOMPETESâ Reauthorization Bill Congressional News Appropriations Process Grinds to a Halt Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Improve Research Regulations Federal Agency & Administration News Impact Report Highlights Obama Administrationâs Science Initiatives Acting Agricultural Statistics Board Chair Named Scientific Workforce Diversity Discussed at NIH Advisory Committee Meeting Census Scientific Advisory Committee Seeks Nominations Nominations Open for NSB Awards Publications & Community Events NAS Webinar Puts Recent âAdvancing the Power of Economic Evidenceâ Report in International Context Funding Opportunity Announcements COSSA Member Spotlight CJRA & COSSA to Host âAsk a Criminologistâ Roundtable on Homicide Rates Events Calendar
Senate Introduces âCOMPETESâ Reauthorization Bill
On June 22, Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced the bipartisan American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (S. 3084), which is the Senateâs version of America COMPETES Act reauthorization legislation. As COSSA has been reporting, the America COMPETES Act is legislation originally enacted in 2007 to bolster U.S. investment in basic scientific research at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal science agencies. The Houseâs efforts to reauthorize COMPETES took a negative turn in recent years, resulting in legislation that would decimate federal funding for social science research and dismantle the…
Appropriations Process Grinds to a Halt
It was only a matter of time before the fiscal year (FY) 2017 appropriations process ground to a halt in anticipation of the extended summer recess. Tensions came to a head last week with a Democratic sit-in on the House floor in demand of a vote on gun safety legislation, and a 15-hour Democratic filibuster of the FY 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill in the Senate to force votes on gun violence-related amendments, which were allowed late in the week. In light of the renewed focus on gun control in the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy, any bipartisan progress…
Lipinski Introduces Legislation to Improve Research Regulations
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced legislation on June 24 intended to develop ways to alleviate some of the administrative burden placed on federally funded researchers and institutions. The University Regulations Streamlining and Harmonization Act of 2016 (H.R. 5583), which is co-sponsored by Lipinskiâs Illinois colleague from across the aisle, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL), builds on recommendations from a 2015 National Academies report, Optimizing the Nation’s Investment in Academic Research: A New Regulatory Framework for the 21st Century, Part 1 (part 2 of the report will be released on June 28). The improvements and efficiencies proposed in the bill include establishing…
Impact Report Highlights Obama Administrationâs Science Initiatives
On June 21, the White House released 100 Examples of President Obamaâs Leadership in Science, Technology, and Innovation. Among the initiatives and policies listed are efforts to increase scientific transparency at federal science agencies, the formation of science-related councils and groups at the White House, and the creation of multiple science and research-related tax credits. Many of the initiatives promoted the social and behavioral sciences, including creating the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (SBST) at the White House, publishing thousands of federal datasets on data.gov, and implementing a multi-agency plan to harness big data. Back to this issueâs table of contents.
CJRA & COSSA to Host âAsk a Criminologistâ Roundtable on Homicide Rates
The Crime & Justice Research Alliance (CJRA) (a collaborative effort of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Society of Criminology, both COSSA members) and COSSA will be hosting the first in a series of âAsk a Criminologistâ Congressional roundtables on Thursday, July 7.  This roundtable will feature new research commissioned by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) exploring why homicide rates in the United States increased in 2015 and include a discussion with CJRA Chair Dr. Nancy La Vigne, Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, and Washington Post reporter Tom Jackman. More information, and a link to RSVP, can be found…
Acting Agricultural Statistics Board Chair Named
The National Agricultural Statistics Service has named Joseph L. Parsons acting chair of the U.S. Department of Agricultureâs (USDA) Agricultural Statistics Board. The Agricultural Statistics Board âprepares and issues USDAâs official national and state forecasts and estimates relating to crop production, stocks of agricultural commodities, livestock and livestock products, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, agricultural prices, economic information, agricultural wage rates, chemical usage, and other such subjects.â Parsons currently serves as Director of NASSâ Information Technology Division and Chief Information Officer. Back to this issueâs table of contents.
Census Scientific Advisory Committee Seeks Nominations
The Census Bureau has issued a call for nominations for membership to the Census Scientific Advisory Committee. This committee advises the Director of the Census Bureau on statistical data collection, statistical analysis, econometrics, cognitive psychology, and a variety of other scientific areas pertaining to Census Bureau programs and activities. According to the notice in the Federal Register, âNominees must have scientific and technical expertise in such areas as demography, economics, geography, psychology, statistics, survey methodology, social and behavioral sciences, Information Technology, computing, or marketing.â The deadline for applications is July 15, 2016. More information is available in the Federal Register….
Nominations Open for NSB Awards
The National Science Board (NSB), the policy making body for the National Science Foundation (NSF), is accepting nominations for its Vannevar Bush and Public Service awards. The Vannevar Bush Award âhonors truly exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the Nation,â according to the awardâs website. The Public Service Award honors both groups and individuals who have made contributions to increasing public understanding of science and engineering. Nominations for the 2017 honorary awards will be accepted through October 3, 2016. Back to this issueâs table of contents.