What's Happening In DC
- This week, House of Representatives Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey announced that subcommittee markups for Fiscal Year 2021 spending bills will begin on July 6th, followed by full committee markups on July 9th, and consideration by the full House of Representatives the final weeks of July.
- Senate appropriations markups are delayed as discussions continue on future COVID-19 relief efforts and police reform legislation.
- On Thursday, the Senate unanimously confirmed Sethuraman Panchanathan to be the next director of the National Science Foundation.
- The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration's attempt to eliminate DACA, a program that provides temporary legal status to qualified individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
- The higher education community has spoken out praising the Supreme Court decision. AAU, APLU, and ACE have released statements.
- On May 29th, President Trump issued a proclamation limiting the entry of certain nationals from the People's Republic of China seeking to study or conduct research in the United States.
- Further details on the proclamation are available on the U-M International Center website here.
- President Schlissel and other U-M leaders penned an open letter in support of Chinese students and faculty, in response to President Trump's proclamation restricting entry into the U.S. for certain Chinese students and other concerning Congressional proposals.
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Campus Coronavirus Response
Today, UMOR published a communication regarding the University's research ramp-up. Over 4,000 researchers across U-M have safely re-engaged their laboratory, studio, and field research. Most in-person human research led by U-M has been paused since March 14th, and will be reactivated through a tiered approach in accordance with state regulations. Beginning June 22nd, research studies that are classified as Tier 0 or 1 can apply for reactivation to the Human Research Activation Committees charged by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Applications for studies classified as Tier 2 will be accepted July 13th.
Important University of Michigan specific COVID-19 updates are available on the U-M COVID-19 page here. This page is being continually updated to reflect the most up-to-date information. Included in the campus response is an update on benefits and changes to the University research operation.
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Agency Responses
For a full list of guidance from federal research agency sponsors, including the Center for Disease Control, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Office of Management and Budget, please visit the U-M Office of Research COVID-19 website.
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Legislative Activities
The House of Representatives and Senate continue to work using a combination of in-person and proxy meetings and hearings.
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Highlighting U-M Faculty Serving on Federal Advisory Committees:
We are proud to feature U-M faculty and staff who are serving on a Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) in our weekly newsletter. Through FACs, faculty and staff live out U-M’s mission to serve the state, nation, and world by applying their knowledge and expertise to help shape and inform national policy. If you are currently serving on a FAC, or have recently been selected to serve, please let Kristina or David know. 
This month, we are featuring Dr. Vineet Chopra, Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine and a tenured Associate Professor of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Chopra serves on the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). This committee provides advice and guidance to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the practice of infection control, including strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of antimicrobial resistance in United States healthcare settings.
Dr. Chopra is the only hospitalist on this committee that includes 14 voting members from infectious diseases, healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, surgery and geriatrics, among others. He has contributed towards the goal of HICPAC by providing insight on concerns and barriers related to infection prevention often encountered by frontline clinical providers. In addition, Chopra is an expert in the field of patient safety with a specific emphasis on preventing complications related to intravenous catheters. He has led HICPAC efforts in improving the science and safety of these devices and how they should be used and cared for in healthcare settings. He led the committee's efforts to define how products related to infection prevention would be reviewed for inclusion in guidelines and has currently been tasked to serve as one of two HICPAC leads on guidelines to prevent bloodstream infection related to intravenous devices. Chopra's work has been featured in top tier medical journals including the Lancet, British Medical Journal, Annals of Internal Medicine and JAMA.
To learn more about Dr. Chopra's background and research areas, please click here.
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Nomination Announcements
Federal Advisory Committees:
CDC Community Preventive Services Task Force
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is soliciting nominations for the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF). This task force provides evidence-based findings and recommendations on community-based health promotion and disease intervention approaches. CPSTF is seeking nominees with experience in social determinants of health or health equity, mental health, substance use, maternal and child health, older adults/aging, digital health interventions, and state-of-the-art systematic review methods. New members will serve a five-year term starting in 2021 or 2022.
Nominations are due June 26, 2020. Further information is available here.
HHS National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting applications for membership to the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. This council advises the Secretary of HHS and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality with respect to activities to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. The council is seeking individuals who are distinguished in the conduct of research and evaluations with respect to healthcare, distinguished in the fields of health care quality research or improvement, distinguished in the practice of medicine or other health professions, or are distinguished in the fields of health care economics and public policy.
Nominations are due July 3, 2020. Further information is available here.
*NEW* NOAA United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is soliciting applications for membership on the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee. The committee provides advice to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee regarding the planning, integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System. Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information relate4d to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
Nominations are due July 30, 2020. Further information is available here.
The Census Bureau is requesting nominations for members to serve on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC). This committee provides advice to the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau activities including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. CSAC is seeking qualified applicants to serve for a three-year term.
Nominations are due August 1, 2020. Further information is available here.
CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is seeking nominations to the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). This committee provides advice and guidance to the CDC regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and related events in the United States healthcare settings. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of infectious diseases, infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, nursing, environmental and clinical microbiology, surgery, internal medicine, and public health.
Nominations are due August 3, 2020. Further information is available here.
*NEW* FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee
The Food and Drug Administration is requesting nominations for members to serve on the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, Division of Advisory Committee and Consultant Management, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The committee provides advice on scientific, technical, and medical issues concerning human drug compounding under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. The committee is seeking members knowledgeable in the fields of pharmaceutical compounding, pharmaceutical manufacturing, pharmacy, medicine, and related specialties.
Nominations are due August 17, 2020. Further information is available here.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation, is soliciting nominations for appointments to the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). The objective of the DAC is to provide independent advice and recommendations to the FAA and in response to specific tasks received directly from the FAA, working toward improving the efficiency and safety of integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System. The stakeholder groups eligible for membership on DAC include UAS Operators, UAS Software Application Manufacturers, Research, Development, and Academia.
Nominations are due August 18, 2020. Further information is available here.
HRSA Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT). The ACOT provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) on matters concerning policy, program development, and other matters of significance concerning organ transplantation.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
HRSA Advisory Committee on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Committee on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (ACBSCT). The ACBSCT provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters concerning policy, program development, scientific advances, and other matters of significance concerning blood stem cell transplantation.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
HRSA Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for appointment as members of the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry (ACTPCMD). The ACTPCMD provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary), the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on matters concerning policy, program development, and other matters of significance concerning the medicine and dentistry activities.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
HRSA Council on Graduate Medical Education
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for appointment as members of the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME). COGME provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS; the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on matters concerning the supply and distribution of physicians in the United States, physician workforce trends, training issues, financing policies, and other matters of significance related to physician workforce and graduate medical education.
Nominations will be accepted on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
HRSA National Advisory Council on Migrant Health
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting nominations to fill vacancies on the National Council on Migrant Health (NACMH). The NACMH consults with and makes recommendations to the HHS Secretary and the HRSA Administrator concerning the organization, operation, selection, and funding of migrant health centers.
The agency will receive nominations on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
NSF Advisory Committee Openings
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting nominations for positions available on its scientific and technical federal advisory committees. There are 13 advisory committees accepting nominations, including:
- Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences
- Advisory Committee for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
- Advisory Committee for Cyberinfrastructure
- Advisory Committee for Education and Human Resources
- Advisory Committee for Engineering
- Advisory Committee for Geosciences
- Advisory Committee for International Science and Engineering
- Advisory Committee for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Advisory Committee for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
- Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering
- Advisory Committee for Business and Operations
- Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education
- Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee
The federal register notice, with details on how to submit names, is available here. Nominations for membership are maintained for one year.
National Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Advisory Committees
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is accepting nominations for appointment to eight existing Federal Advisory Committees:
- Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award;
- Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award;
- Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board;
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board;
- National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee;
- Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction;
- Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology.
Nominations will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Further information is available here.
Council on Graduate Medical Education
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting nominations to fill vacancies on the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME). The COGME provides advice and recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services and members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on matters related to: supply of physicians in the U.S., physician workforce trends, training issues, and financing policies.
The agency will receive nominations on a continuous basis. Further information is available here.
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Funding Available: National Service Engagement Faculty Travel Support
 The Office of the President now funds awards to support faculty travel for public engagement activities.
According to the Office of the President, this funding is intended for any faculty member who has been specifically invited to attend and offer contributions because of their expertise at the national level and where travel funding is not otherwise provided. Such activities might include expert testimony to Congress, national leadership service, or involvement in national advisory positions. This initiative aligns with the president's emphasis on the importance of public engagement by members of the entire U-M community.
For more information on the travel awards or to apply, please visit the National Service Engagement Faculty Travel Support page.
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Fellowship Resources for Faculty and Students
The Office of Federal Relations for Research maintains a listing of available S&T policy fellowships for members of the Michigan community at all levels, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty.
For more information about these opportunities and to see the listings, please visit the Federal Relations for Research website here.
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News Articles
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