Advocating on Capitol Hill for continued NIH investment
October 8, 2026
At the 2026 Rally for Medical Research, psychology advocates urged Congress to sustain NIH investment in mental health research, scientific training, and lifesaving discoveries
Our focus
- Support basic and applied research in the social, behavioral, and psychological sciences
APA Services advocates for NSF appropriations and research topics primarily within the Directorate of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), which funds research on people and society. Psychological scientists conduct basic and applied social and behavioral research relevant to many NSF priorities including the science of learning and communication, individual/group human behavior and learning, and the brain sciences. - Improve science education and training
APA promotes improvements in the scientific enterprise leading to greater diversity in the psychological sciences and better curriculum development to equip the workforce for careers across the spectrum of opportunities in the field of psychology. NSF/SBE also houses the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, which is the nation’s leading source of data and information on the U.S. Science and Engineering Enterprise. - Provide collaborative opportunities between psychological sciences and other disciplines
Our work includes advocacy for collaborations with other NSF directorates on cross-disciplinary programming, particularly where the social, behavioral, and psychological sciences offer unique contributions. The future of work, the impact of emerging technologies on humans and society, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and interactions between brain function and our physical and social environment illustrate some of the interdisciplinary research opportunities for which psychological science is well-positioned to address.
We as constituents have the most powerful voice to remind our elected officials about why psychological science is so important.
What you can do
Federal funding for scientific research
APA Services advocates for robust and predictable funding of scientific research at the federal science agencies.
Contact us
Corbin Evans, JD
Deputy Chief, Science and Technology
Angela L. Sharpe, MG
Senior Director of Congressional and Federal Relations
Krysta Jones
Director of Congressional and Federal Relations
Recent advocacy on promoting and defending research issues
Urging a flexible NIH funding framework for future clinical trial investigators
October 6, 2026
APA is urging NIH to create flexible funding pathways that pair opportunity with the mentorship early-career investigators need to thrive
Opposing proposed changes to Department of Education grant regulations
October 6, 2026
APA Services urged the Department of Education to withdraw proposed changes to its grant administration regulations, citing concerns about research funding, grant stability, transparency, and the future of education and workforce development programs
NIH awards over $44 million to expand landmark midlife women’s health study
October 6, 2026
In a major win for women's health advocacy, the $44.4 million NIH grant will continue crucial research into menopause, cognitive aging, and brain health following joint efforts by APA Services and congressional champion Representative Andrea Salinas