[Nhcoll-l] FW: Science Policy News from AIBS

Mon Dec 14 13:36:45 EST 2015

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AIBS Public Policy Report

AIBS Public Policy Report, Volume 16, Issue 25, December 14, 2015

  *   Nations Agree to Historic Climate Deal
  *   Congress Passes Another Stopgap Spending Bill
  *   Education Reform Bill Signed Into Law
  *   Lawmakers Continue Attacks on ‘Wasteful’ Research Grants
  *   NSF to Change Management of NEON
  *   House Panel Examines Effectiveness of National Invasive Species Council
  *   Graduate Student Leaders Sought to Shape Science Policy
  *   Short Takes
     *   Input Sought on Climate Change Research Plan
     *   Comment on the Earth Observation Framework
     *   NAS Workshop on the Microbiome, Human Health, and the Environment
  *   From the Federal Register
  *   Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center

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The AIBS Public Policy Report is distributed broadly by email every two weeks to the AIBS membership. Any interested party may self-subscribe to receive these free reports by email or RSS news feed, by going to www.aibs.org/public-policy-reports<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D176afc46ea-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=1_44uJqrhlxFLA4CvVT_vd2cw4CJOTuoCRR1ftIKKI4&e= >.

With proper attribution to AIBS, all material from these reports may be reproduced or forwarded. AIBS staff appreciates receiving copies of materials used. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the AIBS Director of Public Policy, Robert Gropp, at 202-628-1500 x 250.

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Nations Agree to Historic Climate Deal

On 12 December, the world’s leaders announced the results of two weeks of negotiations in Paris: a deal had been reached to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.

The climate agreement requires nations to stick to the mitigation pledges they made ahead of the Paris talks as well as to strengthen their commitments over time. Further action will be required in order to limit climate change, as the pledges are not sufficient to prevent global temperatures from increasing more than 2 degrees Celsius. Countries will reconvene to assess progress in 2018 and again in 2020. This is the first time that all governments have committed to reporting sources of carbon emissions and their mitigation progress.

Developed nations pledged to raise $100 billion in climate aid for developing countries over the next five years. The funds will help poorer nations to adapt to the impacts of climate change and to invest in clean energy sources.

The new deal needs to be adopted by at least 55 nations representing at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions before the deal goes into effect. Although treaties are subject to ratification by the U.S. Senate, a senior official in the Obama Administration said that the deal was structured to not require approval by Congress.

Congress Passes Another Stopgap Spending Bill

Congress has once again resorted to adoption of a short-term measure to keep the government funded while lawmakers continue to negotiate the details of a comprehensive spending package. The new continuing resolution—which is the second for the year—will keep federal agencies operating through 16 December.

Although a deal was reached six weeks ago that set the overall amount of spending for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, the details of how that funding will be allocated among agencies has not yet been decided. The most contentious issues have been policy riders—additions to the legislation that are not always directly related to the underlying measure.

Some of the issues being debated include language to restrict the entry of Syrian refugees into the U.S., a reversal of a rule that clarifies federal authority over streams and wetlands, and termination of the ban on exporting crude oil.

Education Reform Bill Signed Into Law

Legislation that overhauls the No Child Left Behind Act became law on 10 December. The law makes sweeping changes to federal education policy. Notably, it prevents the federal government from forcing states to adopt Common Core education standards and allows states more flexibility in setting their education standards.

“Although well-intended, the No Child Left Behind Act…has long been broken,” stated Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “We can no longer afford that law’s one-size-fits-all approach, uneven standards, and low expectations for our educational system.”

New initiatives included in the new law include the creation of a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) master teacher corps. States will be able to create programs to reward, attract, and retain outstanding STEM teachers through opportunities to work with one another in scholarly communities and to receive and lead professional development.

The law will also create a new funding source for states to improve STEM education as part of a “well-rounded” education. Programs that increase STEM access to underrepresented groups and low-income students would be supported, as well as hands-on STEM learning and STEM-focused specialty schools.

Lawmakers Continue Attacks on ‘Wasteful’ Research Grants

Two members of Congress released reports highlighting what they view as some of the most wasteful government projects. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) each compiled their own lists, which were announced just days apart.

A variety of types of government projects were featured in the reports, but federally-funded research was prevalent. Twenty-two of 100 highlights in the Flake report were funded by science programs. Lankford’s report included 13 science grants out of 101 identified programs.

The Senators criticisms ranged from Department of Defense research on breast cancer to work on the use of artificial intelligence to recognize faces. Unlike past “wastebooks,” only a few examples of biological and ecological research were included, although Senator Flake called out grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the behavior of mantis shrimp and social interactions of guppies. Senator Lankford’s report included a study of gnatcatchers on military bases and an effort by the National Park Service to understand the effects of artificial lights on nocturnal insects.

NSF posted an official response to Lankford’s report<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage1.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D70b7bbe98d-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=ITAVJWrW-e8wq3JoAKoOjj7CL9d6zFEMB7WJma07EyI&e= >, and is expected to respond to Flake’s report. “A simple truth remains regarding fundamental scientific breakthroughs: Before these discoveries were made, these ideas, too, might have been considered novel or outside-of-the-box. Sometimes, based solely on the title of the project, these ideas might have even seemed impractical or inappropriate at first glance. However, if one used project titles instead of merit review to make funding decisions, Google® might not exist today. What was the original name of this search engine when it was funded as an NSF Digital Library project? BackRub.”

NSF also defended the award of an education grant called out in the Lankford wastebook. The grant supported development of Killer Snails: Assassins of the Seas card game that teaches children about marine biodiversity. The game was developed by a small company that formed with support from NSF’s I-Corps program.

NSF to Change Management of NEON

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is changing the management of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) in light of cost overruns highlighted by the Inspector General and Congress. According to an email from Interim CEO of NEON Inc. Gene Kelly, “We have been assured that NSF remains committed to building and operating NEON, using the best available science, while ensuring no further re-scoping is necessary.”

The network’s scope was reduced in August in order to address an $80 million budget overage and the project running a year behind schedule.

House Panel Examines Effectiveness of National Invasive Species Council

A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee discussed the effectiveness of the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) and the impacts of non-native species at a hearing held on 30 November 2015.

Both Democratic and Republican members of the subcommittee criticized the NISC. Chairwoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said, "A review of the 2001 plan by the Government Accountability Office found problems with coordination delays and setting clear long-term goals. In the past several years, there has been relatively little oversight of the council's work and success in managing the invasive species problem. Questions continue to be raised about whether the council and other federal agencies are effective in stopping the spread of invasive species."

Dr. Jamie Reaser, Executive Director of NISC, was questioned about the council’s failure to provide timely updates to the National Invasive Species Management Plan. The council is required to issue updates every two years, but the document has been revised only twice, once in 2001 and then in 2008. Reaser, who has only been with the council for nine weeks, responded to the criticism by saying that the document was not updated in a timely manner due to “unanticipated staff turn overs and vacancies that could not be accounted for.” She expressed her commitment to lead the effort on revising the national management plan, which should be likely completed by spring 2016.

Several members of Congress questioned the effectiveness of the council and argued that it has not made any tangible progress in reducing the impacts of invasive species. Reaser defended the council by emphasizing that it is not directly involved with on-ground efforts and focused more on coordinating activities and providing management tools that states can use to improve their activities, making it difficult to measure their success. She also indicated that a tight budget has kept the council from reaching its full potential.

Scott Cameron, President of the Reduce Risks from Invasive Species Coalition, made several recommendations to improve the effectiveness of NISC. He suggested submission of a “short annual work plan” to Congress, which should include “deadlines and intended outcomes of council activities.” He also recommended providing a forum for communication between federal agencies, state governors, and forest managers in order to effectively coordinate mitigation activities on the ground that is otherwise caught in bureaucratic layers.

The NISC was established by an executive order in 1999 to ensure that federal efforts to "prevent and control invasive species are coordinated, effective and efficient." The council includes heads of the thirteen federal agencies as members and is co-chaired by the secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, and Interior.

Graduate Student Leaders Sought to Shape Science Policy

Are you a science graduate student looking to make a difference in science policy and funding? Applications are being accepted for the 2016 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. This award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who have demonstrated initiative and leadership in science policy. Recipients receive first-hand experience at the interface of science and public policy.

Winners receive:

  *   A trip to Washington, DC, to participate in the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition Congressional Visits Day, an annual event that brings scientists to the nation's capital to advocate for federal investment in the biological sciences, with a primary focus on the National Science Foundation. The event will be held in spring 2016. Domestic travel and hotel expenses will be paid for the winners.
  *   Policy and communications training, including information on the legislative process and trends in federal science funding.
  *   Meetings with congressional policymakers to discuss the importance of federal investments in the biological sciences.
  *   A one-year AIBS membership, including a subscription to the journal BioScience and a copy of "Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media."

The 2016 award is open to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents enrolled in a graduate degree program in the biological sciences, science education, or a closely allied field. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in and commitment to science policy and/or science education policy. Prior EPPLA winners and AIBS science policy interns/fellows are not eligible.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, 10 January 2016. The application can be downloaded at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aibs.org_public-2Dpolicy_eppla.html&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=FhsI4phDjY-dxIC8rllqkBs6klo-4ajFOmHO5QmKa0A&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage2.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3Dc211401dfd-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=-znPSO3yrmkji29xOFlCOHBX66CpIE1xoHuQKqchN0I&e= >.

Short Takes

  *   Comments are sought on a draft update to the federal government’s global change research strategic plan. Comments are due by 30 January. Learn more at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__review.globalchange.gov_&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=zsWiJl7L6NmmHlS2EuSiQcbhgbiOVI7Grukt5FEGbCM&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage1.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D9a2db48b6c-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=8N2iKl4mpHkQWaIq7h2yff6F8lCBQJXeNW5YgAUKNWM&e= >.
  *   A draft framework has been developed to improve access to and use of federally collected Earth observation data. Public comment is being accepted through 15 January. Learn more at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.whitehouse.gov_blog_2015_12_09_improving-2Daccess-2Dearth-2Dobservations&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=CPz4KACiCzdBbWuuKL6j7LH5MlhZQM3oqFv4J-vN080&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D3245e4ccf2-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=zPL-_J2muWFkeeM1LukDzoxeoLWHtsSouHJnP-A_Y38&e= >.
  *   The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will hold a workshop on “Environment and Health: What’s the Microbiome Have to Do With It?” on 14-15 January. The event will focus on research at the intersection of environment, human health, and the microbiome. Learn more at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nas-2Dsites.org_emergingscience_meetings_microbiome2_&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=W3z7CYPBIGHF8E2sdpkc1icn1td9oAcm6w2-xFMTrbw&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D444cc5c653-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=i70CZXNid1OiZR5qvvXK05IXwQYvXWNCIECafC_PGys&e= >.

>From the Federal Register

The following items appeared in the Federal Register from 30 November to 11 December 2015. For more information on these or other recent items, please visit the AIBS Federal Register Resource at www.aibs.org/federal-register-resource/index.html<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3Db04749bf97-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=RBuliRZc0HsgRQuOHq3LO35DD7-ZAFpVcTJXJLkX6-E&e= >.

Week Ending 11 December 2015

Environmental Protection Agency

  *   Notice of Open Meeting of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board
  *   Request for Nominations to the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT)
Health and Human Services

  *   Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health; Notice of Meeting
  *   Office of the Director, Office of Science Policy, Office of Biotechnology Activities; Notice of Meeting
  *   Use of Databases for Establishing the Clinical Relevance of Human Genetic Variants; Public Workshop; Reopening of Comment Period
National Science Foundation

  *   Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Office of Science and Technology Policy

  *   Request for Input on the United States Group on Earth Observations Draft Common Framework for Earth-Observation Data
Week Ending 4 December 2015

Agriculture

  *   Meeting Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
  *   Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in the Formulation of Forest Service Directives
Energy

  *   President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
Environmental Protection Agency

  *   Request for Scientific Views on the Draft Recommended Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Cadmium--2015
Interior

  *   Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Seventeenth Regular Meeting: Proposed Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Being Considered; Observer Information
Office of Science and Technology Policy

  *   Public Input on the Triennial Update to the USGCRP Strategic Plan

Become an Advocate for Science: Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center

Quick, free, easy, effective, impactful! Join the AIBS Legislative Action Center<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3Dfd3689b25d-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=bgKhChLW8M_rVVFD2a5cpfSqU042KkOtV2N-gMM1_rQ&e= >.  The Legislative Action Center is a one-stop shop for learning about and influencing science policy. Through the website, users can contact elected officials and sign-up to interact with lawmakers.  The website offers tools and resources to inform researchers about recent policy developments. The site also announces opportunities to serve on federal advisory boards and to comment on federal regulations.

This new tool is made possible through contributions from the Society for the Study of Evolution, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, and the Botanical Society of America.  AIBS and our partner organizations invite scientists and science educators to become policy advocates today. Simply go to policy.aibs.org<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D2fee4da844-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=zeg5eCCgbIY2ggpgnrVlpJjwhJ_asogUsFg8A1FdnZY&e= > to get started.

________________________________

  *   Give your society or organization a voice in public policy. See https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aibs.org_public-2Dpolicy_funding-5Fcontributors.html&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=nOn599ZvN8f0krJXAHotO2BqAwPoc7EqoTPUPuEmH4Q&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3De1c6dedc17-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=WT5Jfgv5-FmVEG1a_bN2R_jq0bXX1EhszVbwtqoWxIA&e= >.

  *   Become an AIBS Individual Member and lend your voice to a national effort to advance the biological sciences through public policy, education, and science programs. Visit https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.access.aibs.org_-3Fpage-3DIndMem&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=PU1qSU8zZTsp9ABNYqI5PZVbEJ-1lGJOS7eTDEvWH4g&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3Ddbc1c43cca-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=ClS6Z5u9W3pSH1KLLZCzJcWZHjEZ7SxfwAldVPjZg9I&e= > to join AIBS.

  *   Become an advocate for science, visit the AIBS Legislative Action Center at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__policy.aibs.org&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=0l4Fqb1Qbb3-oOeVzulSirIG_FIunEe6sHQhOz4zJRA&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage2.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D6d833abebc-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=zzeu6RdaHa_ZB6k_ZdbRssQi0n5CoHd3jhpzN668Bp4&e= >.

  *   Know the news as it happens, sign-up to receive AIBS press releases and policy statements (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aibs.org_mailing-2Dlists_mediaisu.html&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=sgrI-xEipOpY9hRStiYalFLZ8eIbh0sJJYqh3tB2vK4&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D9ef1cbd9b1-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=Rhl_YYifH21JYrF8F-HdVFzWb7AI4UuJwlSzCcTbHBY&e= >).

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific association dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of society. AIBS works to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to and use information that will guide them in making informed decisions about matters that require biological knowledge. The organization does this through informing decisions by providing peer-reviewed or vetted information about the biology field and profession and by catalyzing action through building the capacity and the leadership of the community to address matters of common concern.

Founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, AIBS became an independent, member-governed organization in the 1950s. Today, AIBS has over 140 member organizations and is headquartered in Reston, VA, with a Public Policy Office in Washington, DC. Its staff members work to achieve its mission by publishing the peer-reviewed journal BioScience and the education Web site ActionBioscience.org, by providing scientific peer-review and advisory services to government agencies and other clients, and by collaborating with scientific organizations to advance public policy, education, and the public understanding of science.

Website: www.aibs.org<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aibs.us1.list-2Dmanage.com_track_click-3Fu-3Da2886d199362c2554974f78af-26id-3D94c7d7b795-26e-3D6708ed45cf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=NusaeHWWZUGRxSQBYeN2zPMcmKt2z73c9p6I3ixz2rs&s=tfY0eSpDjvWnursgJpETHJHVyVHBHEoRwEHSDNTZICE&e= >.

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