Animal Behavior Society

STILL ACCEPTING APPLICANTS! Are you a graduate student attending the ABS 2018 meeting in Milwaukee? How sharp are your science communication skills? Put them to the test in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition! PhD students must effectively present their research in under 3 minutes, with minimal visual aids, in a manner accessible to a non-specialist audience. The only prop allowed is a single PowerPoint slide. Participation will be limited to 12 students. The top 3 winners will receive prizes! For more information about 3MT, check out their website at http://threeminutethesis.org/. To apply please email [email protected] with the Subject line: 3M Thesis Application.

Three Minute Thesis

Are you a graduate student attending the ABS 2018 meeting in Milwaukee? How sharp are your science communication skills? Put them to the test in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition! PhD students must effectively present their research in under 3 minutes, with minimal visual aids, in a manner accessible to a non-specialist audience. The only prop allowed is a single PowerPoint slide. Participation will be limited to 12 students. The top 3 winners will receive prizes! For more information about 3MT, check out their website at http://threeminutethesis.org/. To apply please email [email protected] with the Subject line: 3M Thesis Application.

Three Minute Thesis

Enter the Faces of Biology Photo Contest and help increase the representation of animal behavior research!

Action Alert: Ask Senators to Support NSF

Congress is now considering funding levels for federal programs for fiscal year (FY) 2019. Scientists interested in the National Science Foundation (NSF) should consider contacting their Senators to ask that they sign a Dear Colleague letter lead by Senator Markey (D-MA). The letter requests Congress provide NSF with $8.45 billion in FY 2019.

NSF is the primary federal funding source for fundamental biological research at our nation’s universities and colleges. The agency provides approximately 68% of extramural federal support for non-medical, fundamental biological research at academic institutions.

The proposed funding level of $8.45 billion would allow NSF to expand support for early career researchers and to create new interdisciplinary research programs. Moreover, this investment would sustain existing research and education programs that are vital to U.S. competitiveness.

Interested individuals can send a letter to their Senators from the American Institute of Biological Sciences Legislative Action Center.

AIBS Public Policy - Take Action Congress has started debate on funding levels for federal programs for fiscal year 2019. Please show your support for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by asking your Senators to sign a letter in support of funding the agency at $8.45 billion in 2019.

Registration is now open for the Animal Behavior Society 2018 meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 2-6! Abstract submission deadline is March 15.

ABS 2018 | University of Wisconsin The Animal Behavior Society (ABS) is a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(3)(c) professional organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the scientific study of animal behavior. Members of ABS study behavior across all levels of biological organization, under natural and controlled conditions, and....

*REMINDER: DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JANUARY 31 - TOMORROW!*

Here is a great opportunity to talk directly with your representatives in Congress about the importance of science!

The Animal Behavior Society will fund one graduate student or postdoc member to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences Congressional Visits Day on April 17-18, 2018 in Washington, DC. During the afternoon of April 17, individuals will participate in an advocacy-training program that provides the information required to effectively advocate for their science. On April 18, scientists will participate in congressional meetings organized by AIBS with their elected officials. Scientists and graduate students who are interested in communicating the importance of federal investments in scientific research and education to lawmakers are encouraged to participate in this important event. Learn more and register here: https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_visits_day.html

Funding will cover registration and travel expenses up to $1,000. To apply, please fill out the online form before January 31, 2018. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by February 15, 2018.

Online application for Animal Behavior Society funding: https://goo.gl/forms/xsc7qM6M2K1H8U1u2

AIBS Congressional Visits Day Grant Application The Animal Behavior Society will fund one graduate student or postdoc member to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences Congressional Visits Day on April 17-18, 2018 in Washington, DC. During the afternoon of April 17, individuals will participate in an advocacy-training program that pr...

*REMINDER: DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JANUARY 31*

Here is a great opportunity to talk directly with your representatives in Congress about the importance of science!

The Animal Behavior Society will fund one graduate student or postdoc member to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences Congressional Visits Day on April 17-18, 2018 in Washington, DC. During the afternoon of April 17, individuals will participate in an advocacy-training program that provides the information required to effectively advocate for their science. On April 18, scientists will participate in congressional meetings organized by AIBS with their elected officials. Scientists and graduate students who are interested in communicating the importance of federal investments in scientific research and education to lawmakers are encouraged to participate in this important event. Learn more and register here: https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_visits_day.html

Funding will cover registration and travel expenses up to $1,000. To apply, please fill out the online form before January 31, 2018. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by February 15, 2018.

Online application for Animal Behavior Society funding: https://goo.gl/forms/xsc7qM6M2K1H8U1u2

AIBS Congressional Visits Day Grant Application The Animal Behavior Society will fund one graduate student or postdoc member to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences Congressional Visits Day on April 17-18, 2018 in Washington, DC. During the afternoon of April 17, individuals will participate in an advocacy-training program that pr...

The Animal Behavior Society will fund one graduate student or postdoc member to attend the American Institute of Biological Sciences Congressional Visits Day on April 17-18, 2018 in Washington, DC. During the afternoon of April 17, individuals will participate in an advocacy-training program that provides the information required to effectively advocate for their science. On April 18, scientists will participate in congressional meetings organized by AIBS with their elected officials. Scientists and graduate students who are interested in communicating the importance of federal investments in scientific research and education to lawmakers are encouraged to participate in this important event. Learn more and register here: https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_visits_day.html

Funding will cover registration and travel expenses up to $1,000. To apply, please fill out the online form before January 31, 2018. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by February 15, 2018.

Online application for Animal Behavior Society funding: https://goo.gl/forms/xsc7qM6M2K1H8U1u2

AIBS Public Policy Office | AIBS Congressional Visits Day AIBS is a membership organization serving biologists and society through Public Policy, Education, Publications, and Scientific Peer Review.

One more week!
We are extending the deadline for the new ABS Outreach grants to December 7th. Proposals are one page, and recipients will receive funding as well as the chance to share their outreach on the ABS website.
See the newsletter for more information:

Newsletter of the Animal Behavior Society ABS is pleased to announce a small grants program for animal behavior graduate students in Puerto Rico, to aid in the recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This is a one-time allocation of funds, to help students with damage to infrastructure and ongoing research programs. We will support expendi...

**Tax Reform Could Impact Higher Education**

Congress is considering major tax overhauls that would, among other things, impose an excise tax on the investment earnings of endowments at wealthy colleges and universities. Nearly seventy private institutions of higher education would be subject to the new tax, which only affects schools whose endowments exceed $250,000 per student. Public universities would be exempt.

Only 30 of the top 300 research institutions in the U.S. fall within the list. Among them are Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, Yale University, and Columbia University.

The House and Senate have drafted their own versions of the tax reform bill. Both bills contain the provision regarding college endowments. The House of Representatives is expected to start debate on H.R. 1 this week. The Senate will begin committee mark up during that same timeframe.

The House bill also includes a provision that would eliminate individual deductions for college tuition, interest, and other education expenses. This would increase taxes for many graduate students because tuition waivers would be taxed as income. The Senate bill does not appear to make any changes to current tax law in these areas.

As congressional leaders have signaled a desire to move these tax plans though the legislative process on an expedited schedule, individuals who wish to share their opinions about the plans with their elected Representative and Senators should do so via phone and email immediately.