Two recent news stories about science funding highlight current gaps in funding for early career researchers and what is being done to alleviate the problem.

The Office of Science of the Department of Energy announced the names of 61 recipients of funding under the 2013 Early Career Research Program, whose proposals were selected out of a pool of 770 by a peer review process. The program is designed to support the individual research programs of outstanding young scientists working in disciplines supported by the DOE Office of Science, such as Biological and Environmental Science and Nuclear Physics (among others). Although this year’s award recipients have already been named, this is the fourth year of the program, so be on the lookout for the FOA for a shot at the 2014 awards (2013’s FOA was issued in July 2012).

In other news for early career researchers, the chiefs of seven major philanthropic organizations, including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, have signed a “Call to Action” to support basic scientific research in areas where young scientists are often shut out of other types of funding. Continue reading →

On April 2, President Obama announced a new initiative to “revolutionize our understanding of the human brain”.  It is hoped that the BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative will “accelerate the development and application of new technologies that will enable researchers to produce dynamic pictures of the brain that show how individual brain cells and complex neural circuits interact at the speed of thought”.

Interested in more detail? Susan L. Nasr provides an in-depth look at what brain mapping is and what it can do for us. Continue reading →

As the dreaded sequester imposed by the US government takes effect, many are feeling the impact of budget cuts in numerous fields. Those in the science and medical fields are no exception, as shown by several recent announcements and articles on the subject.

If you haven’t had the chance to read up on what the sequester means for the country, the Washington Post Wonkblog published a very helpful FAQ earlier this month. And while senators protest and argue in their attempts to reach a resolution, the scientific community is making its voice heard. Science Works for U.S. posted an article discussing the impact the cuts will have, along with comments from several prominent members of the scientific community.

On a brighter note, ASCO in Action reported on March 21 that the House passed a stop-gap spending bill in an attempt to avert a government shutdown. The bill includes $71 million for NIH and $10 million for the NCI and is designed to extend funding through the end of September 2013.

Do you want to be part of the discussion? Check out the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Action Alert so you can send a letter to Washington about the threats to NIH and Medicare GME funding.  This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard.