Biology in the Federal Science Enterprise Howard Garrison Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology April 17, 2008

Three Questions  How does FASEB describe and represent biology with respect to science policy?  What are the metrics for determining FASEB’s effectiveness?  How will FASEB provide science policy advice for the new Administration and the next Congress?

21 FASEB Member Societies Representing ~85,000 scientists What is FASEB?

Advocacy Is A Core Part of Our Mission  Pre-1989 Six member societies Centralized organization Major scientific meeting  Post-1989 Public affairs emphasis New governance Rapid growth

What We Do  Policy development  Government liaison and advocacy  Policy research  Communications  Coalition building  Public outreach

Policy Development Mechanisms  Consensus conferences Subject matter experts Face-to-face interaction  Science Policy Committee Organized into issue-based subcommittees Staffed by professionals  Ultimate oversight by FASEB Board

Core Public Policy Issues  Federal funding for research  Protect the environment for research Create the next generation of scientists Fight regulatory burden Animal research Stem cell research Research misconduct Conflict of interest Biosecurity Challenge political interference in Peer review Science education

How does FASEB describe and represent the biological sciences  Scope of involvement Experimental biology Biomedical and related life sciences Agencies: NIH, NSF, USDA, VA and DOE  Representation Membership (21 societies) Working scientists

Communications Initiatives  Washington Update  Breakthroughs in Bioscience  State advocacy PowerPoints  E-action alerts Subscribers Mass alerts  Research reports Training Funding trends  Evolution Coalition survey and report

Legislative Relations  Activist tradition of FASEB leadership  Capitol Hill office Full-time presence Strong working relationships with staff  High-level consultants Strategic intelligence Access

Metrics for determining success  Outcomes Appropriations increases Regulatory restraint Animal research (AWA; AETA) Operational definition of research misconduct  Membership  Responses to e-action alerts  Visibility  Influence  Recognition

National Awards  2002 Research!America award for an “Organization That Has Distinguished Itself by Its Advocacy”  2007 National Postdoctoral Association “Distinguished Service Award” Individual development plan Publications on workforce issues Advocacy for health benefits for postdocs Addressing the needs of under-represented minorities

Targets for new Administration  Presidential campaign Communications with candidates Public education ScienceCures.org Debates  White House meeting?  Strengthen agency relationships Leadership meetings Staff communications

Targets for Next Congress Member meetings FASEB President FASEB Capitol Hill Days Member society meetings Freshman briefing E-action alerts Issue briefings?