The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing academic institutions to make tough decisions. APA’s advocacy team continues to promote the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act (H.R. 7308) to aid researchers whose work has been impacted by the pandemic. The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Fred Upton, R-Mich., Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, Frank Lucas, R-Okla., Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, and authorizes $26 billion in emergency relief funding to the federal science agencies to be distributed among U.S. researchers. The agencies include the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Energy, and the National Science Foundation, among others. APA also continues to support the systematic approach endorsed by the Association of American Universities and partner academic organizations that would also allow scientists funded by these agencies to recover lost funds for research and personnel.
Specifically, APA is asking that the relief funds be used to:
- Cover cost extensions due to COVID-19-related impacts, including the need for additional salary support, research-related ramp-up, or suspension costs.
- Provide emergency relief to sustain support personnel and base operating costs for core research facilities, as well as user-funded research services until facilities reopen and research activities return to pre-pandemic activity levels.
- Fund additional graduate student and postdoctoral fellowships, traineeships, and research assistantships for up to two years, with priority given to graduate students who could not complete their work because of the pandemic.
For more information, contact Angela Sharpe, MG.