91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½

This past week, the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ held its annual Hill Day, bringing undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and midcareer researchers to Capitol Hill to discuss federal funding for scientific research with members of Congress and their staffs.

is underway! Meet the undergrads, students & talking to lawmakers about their work: .

— 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ (@91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½)

Early Thursday morning Hill Day attendees put on their advocacy hats and descended on Capitol Hill.

The next generation of American scientists is here in D.C. asking Congress to support NIH funding, and we have buttons.

— Laura White (@LauraKWhite)

All ready to start my day of meetings for !

— Allison (@PetitePhD)

Morning essentials. On the way to Capitol Hill.

— Celine Hartman (@HartmanCeline)

And then the meetings began…

This year the 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ brought 29 participants to Washington, D.C. (12 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ PAAC members and 17 grad students, undergraduates, and postdocs) representing 33 states and attended close to 90 meetings.

Thank you to Jesse Von Stein with for taking the time to meet with me in regards to NIH funding

— Ashley Widmer (@Ashley_Widmer)

What an honor to meet ! So supportive & encouraged scientists 2 keep advocating!

— scienceisnotpartisan (@AErwinius)

Teams, in most cases, went to nine meetings, often-times back-to-back requiring them to zigzag from the House to the Senate and back again with few opportunities to to catch their breath.

Catching our breathe and drying off between meetings

— Terri Kinzy (@kinzytg)

If they did have a chance to grab a bite, they needed to move fast in order to make their next meeting.

Busy lunch (spot the member)

— (((Benjamin Corb))) (@bwcorb)

Thank you for meeting with us & supporting NIH & NSF

— Rick Page (@ThePageLab)

supports NIH! With

— Gilbert Martinez (@gqmartinez)

It was great speaking with during 91ÑÇÉ«´«Ã½ Hill Day!

— Katherine Sharp (@KatherineASharp)

All in all, Hill Day was a success.

We thank the trainees and researchers who continue to help make the case for investments in basic research. Participants reported an overwhelming outpouring of support from both sides of the aisle regarding the future of NIH and NSF funding. As we move closer to the end of a continuing resolution on Apr. 28, we will continue to push for proper appropriations bills that not only fund agencies like the NSF and NIH but also show an increased commitment to investing in the future of the scientific enterprise.

Another in the books just as the storm clouds lift over the Capitol & the sun shines through.

— Rick Page (@ThePageLab)