Advocacy
Issues
Basic Behavioral Science and NIGMS
For several years, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences has ignored Congressional requests to include basic behavioral research in their portfolio. Many of these requests came in the form of appropriations report language, and cited the public law that required NIGMS to conduct such research.
Behavioral Research at NIH
APS works with Congress to consistently support behavioral science throughout NIH.
Peer Review at NIH
NIH is in the midst of overhauling its peer review system. Read the Self Study Report and check out APS's contributions to this process.
IRBs
Rather than focusing on the problems, APS is currently disseminating best practices for working with IRBs. Get advice from fellow researchers on how to do just this in our Observer series, IRBs: Navigating the Maze, and access government IRB resources.
Research Training
Behavioral science research training should be more of a priority at NIH because of the central role of behavior in health.
Education Research
The field of education research, touching cognitive development, child behavior, and neuroscience, has seen a flurry of activity in recent years.
Homeland Defense
Behavioral science can play a large role in the scope and structure of the Department of Homeland Security, from using behavioral science research to prevent further attacks to using behavioral research to cope with trauma and grief.