Washington, DC, March 15, 2018 – Association for Women in Science (AWIS), together with The Society
of Women Engineers (SWE), is participating in the annual “Diversity and Inclusion Fuels Innovation in STEM” Capitol Hill Days, on March 14 and 15, 2018. During the two-day advocacy event, 21 AWIS members will meet with the offices of seven senators, and over a dozen members of the House of Representatives, from both political parties. AWIS members joining today’s efforts are from the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia.
“It is time to level the playing field across all STEM disciplines. AWIS research shows there still are deeply rooted systemic problems, inequalities, and disparities that significantly impact women in STEM industry”, said AWIS Executive Director and CEO, Janet Bandows Koster, who is participating in the Capitol Hill Days, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to speak with members of Congress in our continued efforts to advocate for scientific research, inclusion, and equality in STEM fields.”
This year’s AWIS advocacy event will focus on the need to increase funding and equal representation in STEM, with an emphasis to support The National Science Foundation (NSF), The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies play a vital role in cutting-edge basic and applied research, provide support to small businesses that drive innovation, and identify and address health and environmental problems facing the nation. The administration has proposed cutting over three billion dollars in the 2019 federal budget for these three agencies combined.
AWIS also advocates for equitable representation of women and people of color in federal research and programs, by extending its support for H.R. 1358/S.338 Scientific Integrity Act that creates a requirement for federal scientific agencies to openly communicate their data to the public, policymakers and other federal agencies. AWIS further supports H.R. 3397 Building Blocks of STEM Act that supports STEM education and takes steps to address gender disparity of women in the STEM, by directing the NSF to fund programs that address this need.
About AWIS: The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a global network with 80 grassroots chapters and affiliates connecting more than 100,000 professionals in STEM with members, allies and supporters worldwide. Founded in 1971, AWIS has been the leading advocate for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. We are dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. To learn more, visit www.awis.org and follow us @AWISNational on Twitter and Facebook.
FY 18 Omnibus bill was passed 3/23/18 with increases in the proposed funding thanks to AWIS!
The Omnibus funded NSF at $7.7 B compared to 7.4 B for FY17 and a 24% increase of the presidents proposed budget of $6.2 B. In the omnibus, the EPA's Science and Technology budget received flat funding compared to FY17 at $706 M, which is a 78% increase from the presidents FY18 budget proposal of $397 M. NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research received an increase of funding from FY17 to $549 M which is a 56% increase of the presidents proposed budget for FY18 at $350 M!
"Science has had strong, bipartisan support in Congress, and I appreciate the efforts by AWIS to advocate for the important research their members are engaged in. It is groups like this that allow Congress to do its job appropriating funds where they are needed, and these efforts were beneficial to the 12.8 percent R&D funding increase in the final FY 2018 spending bill which Congress recently passed and the President signed into law." - Senator Randy Hultgren
Press Office
202-588-8175
ibanez@awis.org
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