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Week of February 3rd - 7th

Impeachment Update

This week, the Senate concluded the impeachment trial of President Trump with closing arguments and the final votes. On Wednesday, President Trump was acquitted on both impeachment charges. The first article, abuse of power, failed 48-52. Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote in favor along with all Senate Democrats. The second article, obstruction of Congress, failed 47-53 on a party-line vote. With the impeachment trial over, the Senate is now back to its normal legislative business and schedule.

CASE Releases Report on Voluntary Support of Education

On February 5th, CASE published a report on charitable giving to U.S. higher education institutions. The report was calculated using survey results from 26% of all U.S. higher education institutions, which are responsible for 85% of total funds raised among higher education institutions. CASE estimates that $49.6 billion was raised by U.S. colleges and universities in the 2018-2019 academic fiscal year, up 6.1% from the previous year. This overall increase is due in part to increased support from foundations (which includes a $1.8 billion donation from Michael Bloomberg's foundation to Johns Hopkins), while individual giving decreased from 2018.

For public research universities like the University of Michigan, voluntary support is up 3.5% compared to 2018.

The key findings of the report can be found here.

If you have questions, please contact Madeline Nykaza (mnykaza@umich.edu)

Legislative Activities

The House and Senate will be in session next week.

Committee Hearings

Tuesday, February 11th
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: Autonomous Vehicles: Promises and Challenges of Evolving Automotive Technologies
10:00 AM, 2123 Rayburn

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Research and Technology Subcommittee Hearing: More Hires, Fewer Hacks: Developing the U.S. Cybersecurity Workforce
10:00 AM, 2318 Rayburn

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Aviation Subcommittee Hearing: Looking Forward: The Future of Americas Aviation Maintenance and Manufacturing Workforce
10:00 AM, 2167 Rayburn

House Committee on Small Businesses
Innovation and Workforce Development Subcommittee Hearing: The Innovation Pipeline: From Universities to Small Businesses
10:00 AM, 2360 Rayburn

Wednesday, February 5th
House Committee on Veteran Affairs
Technology Modernization Subcommittee Hearing: Data Privacy and Portability at VA: Protecting Veterans' Personal Data
10:00 AM, 210 House Visitors Center

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Full Committee Hearing: Space Missions of Global Importance: Planetary Defense, Space Weather Protection, and Space Situational Awareness
10:00 AM, 216 Hart

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Full Committee Hearing: H.R. 2986 Better Energy Storage Technology Act...H.R. 5374 Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019...H.R. 5428 Grid Modernization Research and Development Act of 2019...H.R. 5760 Grid Security Research and Development Act
10:00 AM, 2318 Rayburn

House Committee on Financial Services
Full Committee Hearing: Equitable Algorithms: Examining Ways to Reduce AI Bias in Financial Services
2:00 PM, 2128 Rayburn

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.


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.

Nomination Announcements
 
Federal Advisory Committees:

FDA Various Advisory Committees
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking nominations for appointments of voting and non-voting members to a variety of advisory committees for the FDA. The committees available are:
  • Allergenic Products Advisory Committee
  • Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee
  • Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee
  • Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee
  • Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee
  • Certain Panels of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee.
Members for all committees will be invited to serve terms up to 4 years. 

Nominations are due on February 20, 2020. Further information is available here.
 
NOAA Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee
The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking nominations for appointment to the new Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). MAFAC advises NOAA on the generation, delivery, and use of electronically reported data from private recreational anglers to assist NOAA Fisheries in fulfilling mission activities. Applicants should have experience in sampling statistics, survey methodologies, citizen science, fishery stock assessment science, electronic monitoring or reporting, fisheries management, database development and/or management, mobile technology applications (apps), or marine recreational fishing. Members will serve a term of up to two years.

Nominations are due on February 21, 2020. Further information is available here.
 
HHS Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for appointment to the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality (ACIM). The ACIM advises the Secretary of HHS on programs and activities aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving the health status of pregnant women and infants. Applicants should include medical, technical, or scientific professionals with expertise in the field of maternal and child health, in particular infant mortality and related health disparities. The Secretary will appoint up to 21 members for terms up to 4 years

Nominations are due on February 24, 2020. Further information is available here.

NIH Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee
The National Health Institute (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is seeking nominations for membership on the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee. The committee serves to coordinate the activities across the National Institutes and with other Federal health programs and activities relating to the various forms of muscular dystrophy. The committee encourages applications from leaders or representatives  of muscular dystrophy research, advocacy, or service organizations. Membership terms will last 3 years. 

Nominations are due February 28, 2020. Further information is available here
 
GAO Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is seeking nominations for membership on the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). PTAC provides comments and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on physician payment models. 

Nominations are due February 28, 2020. Further information is available here.
 
CDC Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations of membership on the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC). CLIAC provides scientific and technical advice to the Department of Health and Human Services, and is made up of members with diverse backgrounds of laboratory specialties, professional roles (laboratory management, technical, physicians, nurses) and practice settings (academic, clinical, public health). Nominees will be selected based on expertise in microbiology, immunology, chemistry, hematology, pathology, or genetic testing.

Nominations are due March 1, 2020. Further information is available here.
 
HHS U.S. Preventative Services Task Force
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to serve as members of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). The task force is looking for members with expertise in the following areas: public health, health equity and the reduction of health disparities, application of science to health policy, dissemination and implementation, behavioral medicine and clinical health psychology, and communications of scientific findings to healthcare professionals, policy makers, and the general public.

Nominations are due March 15, 2020. Further information is available here.

HHS Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health and Human Services (HHS) is requesting nominations for members to serve on the Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee (TEPRSSC). The committee provides advice and consultation on the technical feasibility, reasonableness, and practicability of performance standards for electronic products to control the emission of radiation from such products, and may recommend electronic product radiation safety standards to the FDA Commissioner for consideration. Applicants will be selected based on knowledge in the fields of science and engineering, and will serve overlapping terms up to four years.

Nominations are due March 17, 2020. Further information is available here.
 
FDA Patient Engagement Advisory Committee
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations for voting members to serve on the Patient Engagement Advisory Committee in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The committee provides skills and perspectives in order to improve communication of benefits, risks, and clinical outcomes, and increase integration of patient perspectives into the regulatory process for medical devices. Applicants will be selected based on knowledge in the fields of clinical research, patient experience, healthcare needs of patient groups, and scientific methodology, and will serve overlapping terms up to four years.

Nominations are due March 30, 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;
  • NIST Smart Grid Advisory Committee;
  • 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.


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.

Terri L. Friedline
 
This month, we are featuring Dr. Terri Friedline, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work.

In October, Dr. Friedline was appointed to the Academic Research Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). According to the CFPB, the Academic Research Council was established to advise the CFPB on their strategic research planning process and research agenda, providing feedback on research methodologies, data collection strategies, and methods of analysis for quantifying the costs and benefits of regulatory actions.

Dr. Friedline's research on financial system reform and consumer protections will help shape the research agenda for the CFPB. Her focuses include improving lower-income household's well-being through saving, asset-building, educational attainment, theories on saving, public policy, and advanced quantitative analysis.

To learn more about Dr. Friedline's background and research areas, please click here.



News Articles
Allegations that the Thousand Talents program was used to steal intellectual property were “a fat lie,” said Rao Yi, a professor of genetics and neurobiology at Peking University.
China's Lavish Scientific Funds Fall Into Prosecutors' Spotlight


Feds Drop Foreign Gift Reporting Request


Sovereign Immunity May Not Shield Schools in All Patent Disputes


Giving Growth Slows

Cutting-Edge CRISPR Gene Editing Appears Safe In Three Cancer Patients

After Decades of Decline, The U.S. National Fusion Lab Seeks a Rebirth
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