Volume 42 (2023)
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Appropriations Halted as House Searches for New Speaker, Outcome Uncertain
As previously reported by COSSA, the Congressional Appropriations deadline has been extended to November 17 with a short-term continuing resolution (CR). Following the conclusion of this deal, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted from his position in a 216-210 vote, leaving the House without leadership and unable to continue legislative business. This was an unprecedented decision made by Congress and a direct result from concessions made by McCarthy while running for the position earlier this year (see previous COSSA coverage). Following a two-week vacancy, on October 17, the House held a vote to elect a new Speaker. Representative Jim Jordan…
IES Requests Comments on Topics for New Program âFrom Seedlings to Scaleâ
The National Center for Education Research (NCER), a center within the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), released a request for information (RFI) seeking potential topics for the agency’s new program âFrom Seedlings to Scaleâ (S2S) within the recently developed Accelerate, Transform, and Scale (ATS) initiative. ATS is intended to produce high-risk, high-reward education research in response to FY 2023 appropriation language. S2S is intended to support research, product development, and sustainability and scaling in the education marketplace. The RFIâs list of questions can be found here. Comments are due November 13 and should be submitted here.
Senator Bill Cassidy Requests Comments on Reforming the NIH
On September 29, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released a request for information (RFI) seeking ways to reform the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Senator Cassidy is the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. According to Cassidy, the RFI is intended to gain insight on ways to increase the pace of science and better organize the NIH, including ways to improve the federal research grant application process and improve collaboration and transparency within both academia and federal agencies. A detailed list of the questions asked can be found here. Comments are due October 27 and should be sent to NIHModernization@help.senate.gov.
Dr. Rayvon Fouché Delivers 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture
On October 12, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) featured Dr. Rayvon FouchĂ©, Professor of Communication Studies at Northwestern University, as the 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecturer. The lecture was titled “Embracing the Social in Social Science: Notes for a Technoscientific Future” and addressed contemporary challenges in the scientific community. At the core of the discussion was analyzing the reasons for the reduction of public trust in scientific research, deviations from expert standards, and the feeling that science often excludes or misrepresents certain groups. FouchĂ©’s research underscores this, finding that 80% of university faculty members hail from…
AAU Launches “Fund American Science” Campaign
The Association of American Universities (AAU) has launched a new campaign titled, “Fund American Science: Congress Must Act Now to Fund the CHIPS and Science Act” in response to the insufficient funding for the science portion of the CHIPS and Science Act (see previous COSSA coverage). The AAU stresses that budget constraints and disagreements in Congress pose further threats to catching up to CHIPS and Scienceâs funding goals. This campaign calls on Congress to fully fund the amounts that CHIPS and Science authorized for the Department of Energy (DOE)âs Office of Science, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National…
AAPSS 2024 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize
The American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS), a COSSA member organization, is accepting nominations for the 2024 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize in Social Science and Public Policy. The Moynihan Prize is an annual honor that recognizes social scientists, public officials, and other leaders who champion the use of informed judgment to improve public policy. Candidates must be willing to deliver a major public policy address on the topic of their choosing and nominations may be considered over a three-year period. The winner is recognized at a public event and receives a $20,000 cash prize. Nominations will be accepted through November…
White House Announces the Establishment of Office of Gun Violence Prevention
On September 22, the Biden Administration announced the establishment of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The office is expected to accelerate executive action and prioritize legislation that reduces gun violence in the United States. During the announcement, the Biden Administration stressed the importance of confronting the issue in a timely manner, highlighting the administration’s ongoing efforts to expand gun violence prevention, including the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022. The priorities of the office include: For more information on how social science research can be used to create evidence-based policy for gun violence prevention, visit COSSAâs blog, âWhy Social…
Government Shutdown Narrowly Avoided: What’s Inside the Temporary Funding Bill?
After tense negotiations and a race against time, Congress approved a stopgap funding bill on Saturday which will last until November 17, preventing a looming federal shutdown. President Biden signed the bill into law, ensuring that the U.S. government will continue to operate without interruptions. Key provisions include: Whatâs the path forward? The approval of this temporary measure is only a short-term solution, and Congress will need to regroup to find a more lasting resolution by November 17. Several potential flashpoints and challenges loom on the horizon. The question of aid to Ukraine will be front and center. Additionally, the decision by…
ARPA-H Announces New Program ARPANET-H
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new nationwide health network, ARPANET-H. Within ARPANET-H, three research hubs have been developed, including the Customer Experience hub, the Investor Catalyst hub, and the Stakeholder and Operations hub. Notably, the Customer Service hub priorities include developing accessible health solutions and diversifying health solutions. The Investor Catalyst hub priorities include transforming innovative ideas into tangible solutions and the Stakeholder and Operations hub will focus on agency and stakeholder partnerships. Stay tuned to COSSAâs continued coverage of ARPA-H.
BJS Celebrates 50 Years of National Crime and Victimization Survey
On September 27, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) within the Department of Justiceâs (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) hosted a public seminar celebrating 50 years of the National Crime and Victimization Survey (NCVS). The survey is the only crime and victimization survey in the United States that addresses underreported crime through survey collection rather than police reporting. The NCVS is used to understand crime patterns and the impact of that crime in different households, recognizing victims that may have been indirectly affected by the crime. The seminar included panels that discussed the past, present, and future of the NCVS, including…
NSF Invests $18.8M in Inaugural Cohort for ExLent Program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced its inaugural cohort of the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, investing $18.8 million across 27 teams at U.S. institutions of higher education to expand practical learning opportunities and grow talent nationwide. This includes support for teams from minority-serving institutions and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Initiated by NSF’s Directorates for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) and STEM Education (EDU), ExLENT is primed to offer hands-on learning experiences in sectors outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act. This spans areas like advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, and…
NSF Supports Efforts to Broaden Participation in the Nationâs Technology Workforce
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has pledged a commitment of nearly $5.8 million towards two pivotal projects, partnering with the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). Aimed at promoting inclusivity in the advanced degree programs across key technological areas identified in the CHIPS and Science Act, this investment will bolster data resources and aide endeavors in the recruitment and retention of domestic graduate students from diverse backgrounds in STEM fields. Their collaborative goal with CGS is to broaden the scope of existing survey designs to collect data on graduate applications, admissions, enrollment, and completion rates. Encompassing around 60 institutions, this survey is expected to…
HHS Proposes New Rule to Prevent Discrimination Against Individuals with Disabilities
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a new rule, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, to prohibit discriminatory practices against individuals with disabilities. The new rule intends to expand upon Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It would clarify already existing protections and implement new conditions within this act, including: HHS is requesting public comment on the proposed rule that can be submitted here. Comments are requested by November 13.
NIH Requests Comments on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Real-World Data
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a request for comments on the collection, use, and sharing of biomedical and behavioral science research real-world data (RWD). RWD refers to observational data that is gathered from patients in real-world settings, including but not limited to patient surveys and electronic records. As the NIH develops guidelines for RWD, submitted comments are expected to aid the NIH in understanding public concerns of this type of data. The public is asked to comment on the following items: Comments are requested by December 14 and can be submitted here.
NIMH Launches New Podcast Series to Commemorate its 75th Anniversary
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in celebration of its 75th anniversary, announced the inauguration of their new podcast series, âMental Health Mattersâ. This series aims to dive deep into the narrative journeys of key figures making strides in mental health research while also spotlighting the experiences of individuals navigating life with mental health challenges. Episode one is titled, âUnderstanding and Preventing Youth Suicide.â The episode features a compelling conversation between NIMH’s Director, Dr. Joshua A. Gordon, and Dr. Arielle Sheftall, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of…
Dr. Rayvon Fouché to Deliver 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture
On October 12, Dr. Rayvon FouchĂ© will deliver the 2023 Henry and Bryna David Lecture titled, “Embracing the Social in Social Science: Notes for a Technoscientific Future”. Dr. FouchĂ© is a Professor of Communication Studies at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrative Marketing Communications at Northwestern University. The annual lecture is a program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicineâs (NASEM) Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE). This year, the lecture explores how integrating the social into all scientific inquiry can transform the science we do and why we do it. Register to attend the lecture…
Research!America Opens Applications for Civic Engagement Microgrant Program
Research!America has opened their applications for the 2023-2024 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program. The program supports groups of early career STEM researchers and their projects to increase scientistsâ engagement with their local community, community leaders, and elected and non-elected public officials. Microgrants of up to $4,000 will be awarded to STEM graduate student and postdoc-led groups. These funds provide opportunities for grantees to develop skills in areas such as communication and program planning, along with an understanding of public policy and government to have an impact in their local communities. Applications close on October 24. Additional information and application guidelines can be found here.
Register for AERAâs 20th Annual Brown Lecture in Education Research
On October 19, the American Educational Research Association (AERA), a COSSA governing member, will host its 20th Annual Brown Lecture in Education Research. The annual lecture aims to illuminate the important role of research in advancing understanding of equality and equity in education. The 2023 lecture is titled, “Otherwise Qualified: The Untold Story of Brown and Black Educators’ Professional Superiority” and will be delivered by Dr. Leslie T. Fenwick, professor and dean emerita of the Howard University School of Education, and dean in residence at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Register for the event (virtually or in-person) here.