AACR to Virtually Send 22 Early-career Scientists to Capitol Hill
WHAT:
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will host the sixth annual AACR Early-career Hill Day where 22 early-career cancer scientists from across the United States will meet with nearly 60 members of Congress and their staff, representing 17 different states. The event will be held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN:
Feb. 25, 2021
WHO:
Early-career investigators who conduct cancer research in institutions across the country.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Held virtually this year, the AACR Early-career Hill Day is an opportunity for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other early-career cancer scientists to meet with members of Congress and/or their staff to convey the importance of robust, sustained, and predictable federal funding for medical research. The participants will call on Congress to support a $3.2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2022 and provide at least $10 billion in emergency supplemental funding to support medical research impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the investigators whose careers may be most impacted by this funding, Hill Day participants are able to provide personal testimony and real-world examples of its impact.
In conjunction with the Hill Day on Feb. 25, the AACR is inviting early-career scientists around the country to participate in a National Day of Action by contacting their members of Congress via email or social media. The AACR has launched a campaign through its Legislative Action Center for sending emails to Congress. Early-career scientists are also encouraged to tweet messages in support of NIH funding using the hashtag #AACRontheHill.
Federal funding for medical research is essential to continued progress against cancer and other diseases, and fuels a robust economy. In fiscal year 2019, the last year for which data has been released, NIH funding supported more than 475,000 jobs nationwide and produced $81.2 billion in new economic activity.
In addition to the AACR Early-career Hill Day, the AACR supports and engages early-career scientists through the Associate Member Council, Science Education and Career Advancement Committee, and other Association groups, as well as through various professional advancement programs, career initiatives, grants, travel awards, and membership and mentoring opportunities available throughout the year.