Thought-Leadership
FSP positioned our client to play an influential role with the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the development and enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.
As a result of our efforts, both committees sought our client’s advice and counsel on a number of key provisions that were ultimately included in the final version of the law.
Preserving and Enhancing Federal Funding
In FY 2017, 2018, and 2019, the administration proposed the termination of the National Sea Grant College Program, a 52-year NOAA research grant program in 33 coastal and Great Lake states. FSP worked with our long-time client, the Sea Grant Association, to engage key members of Congress to prevent the elimination of funding for the Sea Grant Program.
As a result of our work, FY 2018 included over $70 million (10% increase) in funding for Sea Grant.
Coalition Support
FSP provides strategic counsel to the association representing over 130,000 research scientists advocating for scientific funding and policy issues related to the life sciences. Our work is designed to maximize congressional support for biomedical and biological research.
The result: appropriations for NIH have increased from $30 billion in FY 2013 to nearly $36 billion in FY 2019.
Generating Congressional Support for Funding
In the face of efforts by the National Science Foundation to reduce its support for a global-class research vessel vital for marine seismology and related research, FSP generated significant congressional support for this unique national research facility.
As a result, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have passed legislation in FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019 urging the NSF to maintain its support of the facility.
Increased Grant Funding
An association of marine laboratories grew concerned that a federal grant program was insufficient to meet growing needs. FSP engaged the leaders of various marine laboratories to persuade the relevant agency to increase the level of investment in marine labs.
In response, the federal agency doubled its support for its marine lab infrastructure grant program over a three-year span.
Creating Strategic Opportunities
in Washington
The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act authorized the administration to establish a new advisory panel to work with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and relevant federal agencies to advance STEM education activities.
FSP was engaged in the development of this provision and, in 2018, we helped our client, the provost at a major academic institution, to be named as an original member of this new high-level advisory committee.