Evan Schaffer

Screenshot of NIMH BRAINS funding opportunity. The expiration date is now before the next application due date.

NIH moved up the expiration date for some funding opportunities, effectively *canceling* the next application date without removing it from the standard table. I can't even imagine how many people are still prepping these grants.

👀 List of impacted opportunities:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...

The origins of COSYNE: Building a community Thirty years ago, theoretical and experimental neuroscientists rarely went to the same conferences. So I helped launch a meeting to get them talking.

Attending @cosynemeeting.bsky.social? Check out @tonyzador.bsky.social’s account of what motivated him to launch the meeting 30-plus years ago, and why cross-disciplinary conferences are so important.

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/computationa...

Congrats Ish!

Think invertebrate model organism research is wasteful government spending? So much of what we know about the basic biology of neuropeptide signaling comes from crustaceans, flies, and worms. #invertforthewin

The thing about scientific research is that it’s one of the few national investments that’s a clear public good even if you entirely discount the actual ostensible point of it.

US National Science Foundation FY 2023 Fast Facts about Kansas $59,308,000 Total NSF Awards to Kansas $53,428,000 Invested in Fundamental Research in Kansas $5,880,000 Invested in STEM Education in Kansas $760,000 Invested in Kansas Businesses

Do you live in a US State, District, or Territory? Get specific with these “NSF in your state” sheets. Here’s an example from Kansas. new.nsf.gov/about/fact-s...

An “NSF BY THE NUMBERS” fact sheet screenshot with some facts about “ADVANCING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD” -The U.S. National Science Foundation was created by Congress in_ 1950 to continue the U.S. science and technology enterprise began during World War II. -NSF allocates 94% of its approximately $8.5 billion budget for grants and awards to support research projects, facilities and STEM education. -NSF funds research in all 50 states and U.S. territories. -NSF fosters international scientific collaboration on all 7 continents around the globe. -About 2,000 academic and other private and public institutions across the U.S. conduct NSF-funded research. -NSF supports 24% of all federally funded academic fundamental research at U.S. colleges and universities. fundamental research comes from NSF. - In 2020, NSF received approximately 43,000 research proposals from scientists and engineers and funded about 12,000. - NSF-funded researchers have received 248 Nobel Prizes.

Do you want a big overview of NSF, explaining things like the fact that 24% of all federally funded academic fundamental research comes from NSF? And that 94% of its budget goes out the door in grants/awards? Here you go. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Factsh...

Are you an early-career #scientist who has been affected by the ongoing uncertainties surrounding US federal research funding and hiring? We at @stellatecomms.bsky.social want to help!

We are offering 📝 free resume/CV reviews for those whose jobs are at risk: forms.gle/CCbbu2X5GJwH...

a sign that says " what is even happening " next to a dumpster ALT: a sign that says " what is even happening " next to a dumpster

How it feels to be working on a grant application right now.

A lot of folks have followed me after I posted about NIH funding. Glad you're interested in the topic!

You can help by contacting congress to voice your support for federally funded research and encourage them to increase, rather than cut NIH/NSF, funding in the 2025 fiscal year.

Links below:

NIH In Your State - United For Medical Research Select a state on the map to see the impact of NIH funding across America.

Want to see the numbers for how NIH funding impacts your state? Remind your Representatives, Senators, and fellow citizens how federally-funded biomedical research advances health, created jobs, and fosters innovation and economic growth.

www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...

Neuromatch is looking for a curriculum specialist for our #neuroAI course. Spread the word!

acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...

Did we just break Bluesky? Anyone know why many people (including me) have an ‘invalid handle’ today?

This list likely reflects mainly my interests and circle, and I’m sure I’ve missed many people, but I gave it a try: (I’ll be slowly editing it until it reaches 150/150)

go.bsky.app/7VFUkdn

(also, I tried but couldn't remove my profile...)

Calling all computational neuroscientists on the job market, come work with us! Priority given to applications received by November 15 neuroscience.mssm.edu/pdf/faculty-...

How did John Hopfield decide to work on the topic that led to his Nobel Prize?

"I was now looking for A PROBLEM, not a problem ... How mind emerges from brain is to me the deepest question posed by our humanity. Definitely A PROBLEM."

More here:
pni.princeton.edu/people/john-...

Had an amazing time at the NAISys (Neuroscience to Artificially Intelligent Systems) meeting at Cold Spring Harbor! So much going on, in both directions! Congrats to the organisers - Tony Zador, Blake Richards, and Doris Tsao 👏

It's PhD application season again, let me reiterate my no1 piece of advice for student applicants:

your PhD supervisor will be the biggest factor in your success/enjoyment of the PhD experience.

This is very different to undergrad/masters level where you were taught by 10+ people across a dept

If you're interested in doing a postdoc in computational neuroscience in new york city, let's chat! I'll be in D.C. for SfN next month.

I’m actively recruiting students, postdocs and technicians. Projects in the lab span a number of computational questions, including brainwide representations of behavior and representational drift. Join us!

I’m thrilled that this is out in its final form #flygenvectors. A sincere thank you to the editors and reviewers for constructive feedback. www.nature.com/articles/s41...