Emma Courtney

Graph of award probability of R35 and R01 from NIH factbook as a function of review rank percentile. As is apparent, 2025 is a significant departure, with lower award probabilities at all scores <40 and significant departures from norm, where even being in the top 10% is no longer a nearly certain indicator of success. Data source: https://report.nih.gov/nihdatabook/report/302

The data is in: the NIH goalposts have shifted.

What were once almost certain fundable scores have become coin flips and what used to be likely grants have become aspirational, leading to fewer awards.

Another manifestation of how HHS policies have led to fewer awards and less science.

One Iran war can buy many USAIDs

I'm hearing from multiple people that students who submitted ecology GRFP proposals are having those proposals rejected without review, despite ecology being listed as an eligible field. If this is a programmatic change, this is devastating. Ecology is the study of Earth's life support systems.

If you are a student whose NSF GRFP application was returned without review for vague 'eligibility' reasons:
1) Let your department chair & Graduate School know. Encourage them to contact NSF & congress
2) Write to your congressional reps.
3) Write to grfp@nsf.gov to request re-consideration;

Omg I’m just learning this is a thing
www.harvardmagazine.com/health-medic...

Democratizing Knowledge Through Global Health Podcasts Podcasts are a great way to learn, share, exchange, and democratize global health knowledge. Here are several wonderful podcasts worth checking out!

Democratizing Knowledge Through Global Health Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to learn, share, exchange, and democratize global health knowledge

Here is my new list of podcasts worth checking out!

communities.springernature.com/posts/democr...

Energy transitions can happen faster than we think:

In 2000 almost 90% of Denmark's electricity was from fossil fuels.

In 2024 less than 10% of Danish electricity was from fossil fuels.

Fascinating that the humanities seem to be getting a bump from those worried about Al.
Natural intelligence—what a concept!

Opinion | James Watson Saw the True Form of DNA. Then It Blinded Him.

Had a great time in New Orleans at #HSS2025!
Historians of recent science may be interested in my guest essay in this morning’s @nytopinion.nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...

Exciting new work coming out of the dos Santos lab at CSHL!

Economics Nobel prize won by researchers who showed how science boosts growth Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Pewter Howitt share economics prize for work that underlines the importance of investing in research and development.

go.nature.com/4hj9NNV

Surreal to hear folks don't think agricultural biosecurity isnt a national security risk and a massive strategic weakness for ALL countries on earth.

We are very very VERY not secure when it comes to food production. We are one big blight away from ruin.

Everyone needs to eat.

And please, share broadly with your networks!

We'd love to open this opportunity to as many people as possible, especially at institutions that don't have active science policy and communications groups.

For more info: scopepolicy.com/join-our-team/, or send me a DM!

@scopepolicy.bsky.social

SCOPE Open Roles Information Session Thank you for your interest in our open roles at SCOPE, an organization aimed at developing the next generation of policy-aware scientists. We're hosting an information session on Monday, October 6t...

If you are interested (or know anyone who might be!), please join our info session next Monday (October 6th) at 3 PM EST: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

These positions are meant to be entry-level roles that require no previous experience—we're here to all learn together!

They're ~1 hour/week in commitment, and can be tailored to what drives you and what skills you want to learn for your future career!

We're offering virtual, volunteer leadership roles that empower scientists to lead conversations at the intersection of science, communication, & policy on topics that interest them, and to help develop educational resources in these areas!

SCOPE is a peer-led nonprofit community based at the Banbury Center @ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

We aim to develop the next generation of policy-aware scientists by helping students & early-career scientists gain hands-on experience in:
• Policy
• Communication
• Leadership
• Project management

Orange background with orange text bubble and white text that says SCOPE is recruiting!

Sharing some news I'm excited about!

SCOPE (Science Careers and Opportunities in Policy and Education, @scopepolicy.bsky.social) is recruiting for new volunteer leadership roles.

If you’re an undergrad, grad student, or early-career scientist interested in science + society, this is for you!

The 2024 solicitation requires that applicants "have completed no more than one academic year (according to institution's academic calendar) while enrolled in a graduate degree program," which allowed graduate students at the beginning of their second year to apply.

#NSFGRFP #NSF

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

The new NSF GRFP solicitation is up as of today, and it looks like second year graduate students may no longer be eligible...

The 2025 solicitation states that applicants must "have completed less than one academic year in a graduate degree program"

www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

Good news! Still no solicitation or guidance but as of this morning it seems NSF has moved the deadline into November.

Keep up the pressure!

Sign the letter and leave a comment about what #NSFGRFP means to you.

Please share with anyone who cares about NSF support for graduate students and take 30 seconds to sign and leave a comment.

The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP

jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/

"Health losses attributed to anthropogenic climate change," a brief communication in the journal Nature Climate Change. There's a map showing regions of the world, and pie charts of relevant studies as they apply to different health impacts like "heat-related deaths" and "maternal and child health"

🚨 NEW: Climate change is already causing 30,000 deaths per year - a global annual economic loss of $100-350B USD - but the true damage is probably 10x higher. Out TODAY in Nature Climate Change: the first systematic look at the science of "health impact attribution" 🔓 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

This is the shit they’re defunding. Scientists can make your teeth see so you can get back to balling and they want to take that away from you forever

Please repost!

We have an open rank, tenure-line faculty position in biomechanics in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. At U-M we have great colleagues, exceptional resources, and biomechanics can be found all across the campus. #BiomechSky

RFK Jr.'s #2 is stepping in as acting CDC director. You need to call your Congress people now and demand hearings until RFK is forced out. They're politically weak for another 48-72 hours, then they'll do unbelievable damage in the next month. Show me that you called and I will give you a reward 👇

There is a massive walk out at the CDC by staff unfolding right now. It is NECESSARY. I stand in solidarity with my CDC colleagues. standing up for science and public health. It is a moral imperative.

Kennedy’s attack on public health must be stopped The abrupt attempt to oust Dr. Susan Monarez, the CDC’s director just weeks after her Senate confirmation, is yet another glaring sign of Secretary Kennedy’s failed leadership and reckless mismanageme...

American Public Health Association: “Legislators and officials at all levels of government who are interested in protecting their constituents should demand Kennedy’s removal.” That’s what I call leadership 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 www.apha.org/news-and-med...

image of taylor swift and travis kelce, with the text that says "getting excited planning your next grant application" and "there being grants to apply for"

A real Romeo & Juliet situation right now…

Poster of a call for scientists that says "Want to collaborate with an art student on a comic about your research? All career stages and fields are welcome!" Learn more and apply by 9/5 - bit.ly/comicscollabfall2025

👩‍🔬✨ Ever wanted to share your science through COMICS?!

The Science Communication & Comics course at Massachusetts College of Art and Design is looking for scientists across all fields to partner with undergrads who will transform your research into 4-page comics!

www.bit.ly/comicscollabfall2025

🧵⬇️