AIBS Public Policy Resources

Federal Budget Resource

The Federal Funding Process

The AIBS Public Policy Office (PPO) provides members of the biological sciences community with timely information about developments in the federal budget and appropriations process. Additionally, AIBS policy staff work to ensure that federal lawmakers understand how their actions relative to federal spending for scientific research impact biological sciences research and education. To this end, AIBS routinely provides formal and informal testimony to decision-makers in Congress and the Administration.

This portion of the AIBS website provides AIBS members with information and resources about the federal budget and appropriations process, with a primary focus on the agencies and programs supporting organismal and environmental biology research and science education. Additional information is reported every two weeks via the widely read AIBS Public Policy Report and through the monthly Washington Watch column in the journal BioScience.

read more »

International Visas and Meetings

Information from the International Visitors Office of the National Academies on the visa process for scientists traveling to the U.S.

Organizing an international meeting in the United States? The National Academies are now registering international scientific meetings with the State Department. Register your meeting to avoid visa problems. PLAN AHEAD! Foreign meeting attendees need to apply for their visas no later than 3 months in advance. Meeting organizers are advised to send invitations to foreign attendees no later than 3 months before the scheduled meeting.

AIBS Federal Register Resource

The federal government publishes information about proposed and adopted federal regulations, notices of advisory meetings, and other significant federal actions in the United States Federal Register. AIBS Public Policy Office staff members monitor the Federal Register to identify and track actions that broadly impact biological science research and education public policy. The AIBS Federal Register Resource provides tips for submitting comments in response to Federal Register notices and Weekly Summaries of key items published in the Federal Register.

AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leader Award

As part of its focus on engaging scientists in the public policy process, the American Institute of Biological Sciences has established the Emerging Public Policy Leader Awards program, an annual opportunity for graduate students (master's and doctoral) in the biological sciences to receive first-hand experience in the policy arena. AIBS pays travel costs and expenses for one to two awardees to participate in the Science, Engineering and Technology Working Group's (SETWG) annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD) event in Washington, D.C. each winter/spring.

CVD is a two-day event that brings scientists, engineers, educators, and technology executives to Washington to raise visibility and support for science, engineering, and technology. It is hosted by more than 30 organizations spanning all scientific disciplines. During CVD, participants attend briefings by key officials from the White House and Congress and two receptions honoring members of Congress for their work on behalf of science and biology; they also participate in meetings with members of Congress and their staff.

Questions about the award program should be addressed to AIBS Director of Public Policy, Dr. Robert Gropp, at or by phone at 202-628-1500 x250.

Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition

AIBS and the Ecological Society of America (ESA) have partnered to launch the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC). AIBS and ESA believe now is the time for the biological and ecological communities to work harder than ever before to ensure these sciences receive the federal investment they deserve. By bringing together colleagues who share a passion and concern for the biological and ecological sciences, BESC will seek to address these challenges and enhance awareness and appreciation for the biological and ecological sciences on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and with fellow science colleagues.

The coalition has hit the ground running. Immediately following the coalition's first meeting, BESC successfully lobbied the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) - a Washington, D.C. based coalition supporting NSF - to write to the House Appropriations Committee about the NSF biology budget. As a result of this and other efforts by BESC members, the House Appropriations Committee recommended a 15 percent increase for biology funding at NSF in its version of the bill (as compared to the 3.4% increase recommended by the Senate earlier this year).

The following week, ESA Director of Public Affairs Nadine Lymn presented comments on behalf of BESC at the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), encouraging the Council to recognize the broad range of science disciplines contributing to the nation's knowledge base. BESC's comments stressed that environmental biology, agricultural biology, ecology and other fundamental disciplines of biology make up the life sciences which are currently perceived to consist mainly of medical science. A PCAST member remarked that this distinction was important for the Council to keep in mind as they move forward with their recommendations to President Bush.

More information on the coalition, including copies of public statements and membership information, can be found at the BESC website (www.esa.org/besc/). Societies or organizations interested in joining BESC should contact Dr. Robert Gropp, AIBS Director of Public Policy at .

USGS Coalition

The AIBS Public Policy Office works aggressively to encourage the use of good science by public policy decision makers. Toward this goal, AIBS is a founding member and co-chair of the USGS Coalition. The USGS Coalition is an alliance of more than 65 scientific and professional, and educational organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the unique combination of biological, geological, hydrological and mapping programs of the United States Geological Survey. The Coalition supports increased federal investment in USGS programs that underpin responsible natural resource stewardship, improve resilience to natural and human-induced hazards, and contribute to the long-term health, security and prosperity of the nation. The USGS provides independent, high-quality data, information, research support and assessments needed by federal, state, local, and tribal policymakers, resource and emergency managers, researchers and educators, and the public.

Throughout 2004 the USGS Coalition worked with Representative James Moran (D-VA) to seek passage of H.Res. 556, a congressional resolution recognizing the contributions USGS scientists have made to the nation over the agency's 125 years. Additionally, the USGS Coalition has met with leading members of Congress and the White House to advocate for increased fiscal year 2005 funding for the USGS, provided congressional testimony in support of the USGS, and hosted the Coalition's first Capitol Hill reception — an event that recognized the support of Capitol Hill supporters and provided members of Congress with an opportunity to learn more about the USGS science programs.

AIBS members and member societies and organizations interested in learning more about or becoming involved with USGS Coalition efforts should contact Dr. Robert Gropp in the AIBS Public Policy Office at .

The AIBS Public Policy Review Committee

Established by the AIBS Bylaws, the Public Policy Review Committee studies and reports to the AIBS Board of Directors on matters dealing with the interpretation of biological information and its relevance to public policy issues. The Committee develops recommendations on coordinated and sustained approaches to facilitate public education, facilitates the transfer of objective perspectives on biological information to governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations, evaluates government policies related to biological issues from a scientific point of view, and provides advice on proposed regulations and pending legislation for biological research and teaching.

The AIBS Congressional Science Fellowship

For many years, AIBS has sponsored or cosponsored a Congressional Science Fellow with some of our member societies. Fellows spend one year working in the office of a Member of Congress or Congressional Committee as special assistants in legislative and policy areas requiring scientific expertise. The program, administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is designed to provide scientists with the unique opportunity to make practical contributions to the more effective use of biological knowledge in the US government, and to demonstrate the value of the biological sciences for making decisions and solving problems in a broad societal context. Our most recent fellows share insights from their experiences "on the Hill." Note that this program is currently inactive; contact Richard O'Grady at for details.

The Washington Watch Column

From the pages of BioScience, Washington Watch features insightful news articles focusing on important issues related to public policy and the biological sciences.