Advocacy Programs Subcommittee

The Advocacy Programs Subcommittee is responsible for planning and hosting two programs:

1. the annual AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP), by
   1. overseeing the application process, including determining applicant eligibility;
   2. reviewing applications and recommending participants to the full CPA; and
   3. undertaking other tasks related to making the program successful.
2. the AAI Research Advocacy Program (RAP), by
   1. overseeing the program;
   2. preparing and giving presentations which teach program participants about the immune system; and
   3. undertaking other tasks related to making the program successful.
   The RAP may take place annually or less frequently, and may be modified to address AAI advocacy goals.

2020-2021 Subcommittee Members

Gretchen Diehl, Chair
Tullia Bruno
Jonathan Deane
Kristin Hogquist
Joshua Obar
Ross Kedl, (Ex-officio)

NIH Subcommittee

The NIH Subcommittee is responsible for analyzing NIH programs/activities and for recommending actions/positions to the CPA on designated issues involving NIH, including:

• scientific priorities, including portfolio analysis;
• grant submission and peer review;
• grant mechanisms and funding distribution;
• organizational structure;
• the composition of, and support for, the biomedical research workforce;
• sexual harassment in science;
• foreign influences on research integrity; and
• other topics to be determined by the CPA and subcommittee chair.

2020-2021 Subcommittee Members

Peter Jensen, Chair
Tullia Bruno
Cherié Butts
Gretchen Diehl
Lauren Ehrlich
Kristin Hogquist
Ross Kedl, (Ex-officio)

Public Health and Biosecurity Subcommittee

The Public Health and Biosecurity Subcommittee monitors and recommends action, as needed, to the CPA regarding potential and actual legislative, regulatory, and policy changes affecting the following (and other related) areas:

• biosecurity laboratories (including personnel issues)
• bioterrorism/“dual use research”(life sciences research that can be used for nefarious purposes)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (including appropriations for the CDC immunology program); fostering better relations with CDC/CDC scientists; and alerting relevant CDC scientists to the value of AAI membership
• pandemics/influenza
• public health (as relates to immunology)
• select agents and toxins
• vaccines, including vaccine hesitancy

2020-2021 Subcommittee Members

Joshua Obar, Chair
Cherié Butts
Jonathan Deane
Lauren Ehrlich
Peter Jensen
Ross Kedl, (Ex-officio)

1. Advocate for increased and predictable funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and, as appropriate, other relevant federal funding agencies. Explain the harm caused by sequestration and inflation.
2. Advocate for increased immunological research and explain its importance to preventing, treating, and curing disease.
3. Monitor, advocate, and/or comment on federal legislation/federal agency actions impacting immunologists and/or biomedical research, including legislation/actions which may affect
   • the AAI publications: The Journal of Immunology and/or ImmunoHorizons;
   • the NIH peer review process;
   • the NIH portfolio (particularly the balance between basic and clinical or translational research, and between individual investigator-initiated research and “big science”);
   • the national priority areas of biodefense and pandemic research; and/or
   • the nation’s ability to attract, retain, train, and address the needs of a diverse scientific workforce.
4. Support and promote the ability of scientists to use animals in research in a humane manner.
5. Inform members of Congress about issues that are important to AAI and encourage them to take on leadership roles in the area of biomedical research.
6. Maintain existing and foster new relationships with key NIH officials.
7. Work in coalition with FASEB, other scientific societies, and other organizations, including patient advocacy groups, to advance the AAI agenda.
8. Work to better understand the perspectives of all AAI members, including those working in government and industry.
9. Report to, and consult with, the AAI Council on a regular basis to ensure that AAI leaders are apprised of important issues affecting AAI and of key activities of the CPA.
10. Engage each member of the CPA on issue(s) of interest to him/her and to the AAI membership.
11. Inform the AAI membership of committee activities and of issues important to the conduct of research; encourage all AAI members, and particularly trainees and early career members, to become advocates for the profession.
12. Maintain a robust AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) and engage current and, as appropriate, former fellows in AAI advocacy.