Policy Statements

When issues that affect the scientific community arise, GSA understands the importance of clearly communicating our position. Public policy statements are reviewed and approved by the GSA Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee, as are those letters drafted by other policy coalitions and signed by GSA.

Scientific organizations letter to Congress urging completion of FY 2022 appropriations. October, 2021

Letter to NIH on funding for Model Organism Databases. March, 2021

Statement on anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) violence. March, 2021

Comments submitted to Department of Homeland Security on proposed changes to F and J visa program rules. October 2020

Scientific societies letter to Executive Branch defending science-based health policy. July 2020

Open letter opposing change to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. July 2020

Don’t close the borders to science. June 2020

GSA’s commitment to dismantling racism in science: building a plan for sustained action. June 2020

Scientific societies letter to the NIH on the revocation of a peer-reviewed research grant for studies of coronaviruses by EcoHealth Alliance. May 2020

Coalition for the Life Sciences COVID-19 recommendation letter to U.S. Congress. April 2020

GSA response to NIH Request for Information on FY 2021-2025 Strategic Plan for the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP). February 2020

GSA supports open access — but we need time for a full transition. December 2019

Scientific organizations letter opposing proposed changes to embargo rules. December 2019

Association of American Publishers letter opposing proposed changes to embargo rules. December 2019

Scientific societies letter on the US federal research budget for FY 2020. April 2019

Statement from GSA’s Executive Committee on the U.S. President’s executive order on immigration July 2018

GSA Members: Contact Congress to protest Trump’s catastrophic NIH budget cuts March 2017

Letter to House and Senate conference chairs for the tax bill December 2017

Letter to House leadership on the graduate student tax benefit provisions within HR1 October 2017

Letter to US Committee on Education and the Workforce opposing the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (HR1313) March 2017

Scientific societies letter on President Trump’s executive order on immigration and visas February 2017

Statement on the Genetics Society of America’s commitment to diversity November 2016

GSA response to NIH request for information on “The Need for and Support of Research Resources for the Biomedical Research Community” May 2016

GSA written testimony in support of increased funding for NIH submitted to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Activities April 2016

GSA written testimony in support of increased funding for NSF submitted to House and Senate Committees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies March 2016

Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research letters thanking support of FY2016 omnibus spending bill  February 2016

Letter to leadership of House and Senate Appropriations Committees

Letter to Members of Congress voting for omnibus spending bill

GSA response to NIH request for information on “Inviting Comments and Suggestions on a Framework for the NIH-wide Strategic Plan” August 2015

GSA response to NIGMS request for information on “Innovative Approaches to Technology Development for the Biomedical Research Community” August 2015

GSA letter to NIGMS Director Jon Lorsch on “Optimizing Funding Policies and Other Strategies to Improve the Impact and Sustainability of Biomedical Research” May 2015

GSA response to NIH request for information on “Optimizing Funding Policies and Other Strategies to Improve the Impact and Sustainability of Biomedical Research” May 2015

GSA response to NIH request for information on “Input on Sustaining Biomedical Data Repositories” March 2015

GSA response to NIH request for information on “FY 2016–2020 Strategic Plan for the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs: Division of Comparative Medicine and Division of Construction and Instruments Programs” March 2015

GSA response to NIH request for information on “Sustaining the Biomedical Workforce and a Potential Emeritus Award for Senior Researchers” March 2015

FASEB-organized letter urging passage of FY 2016 spending bills  September 2015

Biological society letter to Senate Commerce Committee on National Science Foundation and reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act August 2015

Business, higher education, and science statement on “Innovation: An American Imperative” June 2015

Scientific society letter to Senate Appropriations Committee about U.S. government travel restrictions April 2015

GSA response to request for information on NIGMS strategic planning process September 2014

GSA comments on NIGMS proposal for Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award (MIRA) August 2014

GSA comments on draft of USDA’s plant breeding roadmap  July 2014

GSA letter to House Energy & Commerce Committee on 21st Century Cures Initiative May 2014

GSA letter to National Science Foundation on eligibility for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology April 2014

GSA White Paper on the NIGMS 2014 Strategic Plan March 2014

Testimony to Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs on conference and travel spending across the federal government January 2014

Society and health care provide letter to Senate leadership urging opposition to Conference Accountability Act of 2014  September 8, 2014

Scientific society letter to Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs on scientific and technical conferences July 29, 2014

Coalition for National Science Finding to Rep. Lamar Smith on NSF merit review May 2013

Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research letter to Congress about impact of continued cuts to NIH including sequestration February  2013

Letter to President and Congressional leaders on the importance of federal R&D and impact of sequestration December 2012

Research!America letter warning that sequestration would slow medical progress November 2012

Coalition for National Science Funding letter to U.S. Senate supporting peer review at NSF June 2012

Letter to Senate leaders opposing restrictions on government employees’ attendance at meetings and conferences May 2012

ASAE letter to Congress opposing restrictions on government employees’ attendance at meetings and conferences May 2012

Comments on NIH Straw Model January 2011

GSA Letter

Drosophila Letter

C. elegans Letter

Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research letter to Congress supporting NIH funding January 2011

GSA Response to NIH Research Information Draft Proposal September 2004

President’s Council on Bioethics February 2004

Statement:  Evolution & Creationism June 2003

Statement:  GMOs November 2001