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US news roundup: 26 August to 1 September

     

This week: Hopes for Fauci’s successor, a facility renewal for Stanford and diversity in biology

In depth: Publishers have reacted with surprise to the announcement last week of a major change in the White House’s policy on research publishing.

Full story: Publishers express surprise at US open-access policy change
 



Also this week from Research Professional News

Biden signs off spending boost for microchips and R&D—Chips and Science Act is intended to strengthen US competitiveness with China

Wartime working—How US scientists are trying to continue partnerships with colleagues in Russia
 


 
Here is the rest of the US news this week… 

Sector seeks refresh of top advice role

The biomedical research community in the United States is looking forward to the prospect of new leadership of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, with its highly regarded director of 38 years, Anthony Fauci, planning to step down in December. “Obviously we’re very grateful for the leadership of Dr. Fauci,” Esther Krofah, executive vice president of Milken Institute Health, told Bloomberg. “But, in fact, this is a great opportunity for us to bring in new talent, new leadership.”

Stanford to keep running major physics facility

Stanford University will manage the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory for a further five years after securing a contract extension with the US Department of Energy. The laboratory, located just west of the Stanford campus in California, houses the Linac Coherent Light Source and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, which generate bright X-rays to probe biological samples. It is one of 17 laboratories supported by the DOE.

NSF awards seek to broaden biology participation

The National Science Foundation has made 12 new awards, totalling $35 million, to support the creation of new research experiences and mentoring opportunities for recent college graduates who had few training opportunities in college—particularly graduates from groups underrepresented in science. The awards through the Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in the Biological Sciences programme will support 24 minority-serving institutions and five indigenous tribal nations.