TLDR: Join our virtual panel discussion on September 23rd on the intersections of science and law! Learn how to write an op-ed during a Q&A info session with former New York Times op-ed editor Clay Risen on Sept. 22 @ 12 p.m. ET. Want more events? See our community calendar. Looking to volunteer? Join Stance on Science! Readers, follow our Medium blog for the latest articles by SNAPpers; learners, stay tuned for an upcoming modular science policy course developed by SNAP!

FREE VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION on the Intersection of Science & Law on September 23rd at 5:00 pm ET!

Register here now!

2026 SNAP Congressional District Visits

So far, SNAP has had ~35 successful congressional district visits! This year, visits are particularly focused on the proposed OMB (Office of Management and Budget) federal financial assistance rule (Docket OMB-2026-0034) and its potential impacts on scientific researchers and the public. In partnership with the Stance on Science Initiative, we are doing an op-ed push, kicked off by hosting at Q&A info session with a former NYT op-ed editor Clay Risen on Sept. 24 @ 12 p.m. ET. We will also host three op-ed writing sessions in the upcoming weeks, sign-up here to receive more info about those.

SNAPpers and science policy group members at Senator Adam Schiff's office in California

SNAPpers and science policy group members in California had a wonderful in person visit to Senator Adam Schiff’s office yesterday, where they discussed the proposed OMB rule changes and how the Senator’s office can help. For many of the members present, it was their first in person meeting! Thank you to SNAPpers Emily Yemington and Ashley Eng for coordinating the visit. Visits like this one are happening all across the country - please reach out to get involved in one near you!

Science Policy in a SNAP - SNAP Blog

You can access our blog, Science Policy in a SNAP, on our website or give us a follow on Medium, where you’ll hear from a variety of SNAP member voices on diverse science and science-policy topics.

Emma Scales kicked off the month with a post on “The need for farmer-forward sustainable livestock policy, not cheap foreign beef”, discussing agricultural policies that can help incentivize sustainable practices. Sneha Rao reflected on what inspires her to pursue basic science and how we might better support this type of research moving forward in her post, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Last week, Jessa Burling explored the shifting research and policy landscape of psychedelics in the US in her post, “A Trip Down Memory Lane: Psychedelics & Their Complicated Status Throughout United States Health Policy”.

Be sure to follow us on Medium to read the upcoming pieces!

Have an idea for a post? Contact us and let us know.

Stance on Science

Stance on Science participants are asking science policy-related questions of candidates running in local, state, and national races during the 2026 elections. State teams are developing questionnaires, doing candidate outreach, and setting up town halls in their communities. This is a great time to get involved and make sure science policy issues important to your community are included.

We had received over 2,000 responses from more than 400 candidates across 30 states, view responses on the Stance on Science website. We are receiving media attention and are continuing to share the resource we are creating.

If you live in Georgia, there are two opportunities to hear candidates answer Stance questions live at town halls.

  • Athens, GA Forum on Energy and the Environment at the ACC Library Auditorium on 2025 Baxter Street on October 6th from 6 - 7 pm RSVP at https://bit.ly/GAFallForum
  • Valdosta Down Ballot Resource Fair and Forum at Big Nick’s Juke Joint 1201 Baytree Road on October 17th at 6pm

We still need volunteers! If you’re interested in helping out as a state lead or a volunteer, please fill out this sign-up form. Please spread the word! We are particularly looking for constituents in Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Virginia to help these teams grow!

Stance on Science 'Are you a constituent in one of these states?' flyer listing Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Virginia

Don’t see your state in this list? That means you get to join a larger team! The more people we have from as many districts in as many states as possible, the broader the reach of the initiative, so please sign up! Reach out to snapscipolorg@gmail.com with any questions.

SciPol Course

SNAP is excited to release our open-access modular science policy curriculum on October 1. The curriculum includes 5 modules: What is Science Policy?, How Government Works, Writing for Policymakers, Science Communication, and Science Diplomacy. Reach out to snapscipolorg@gmail.com.

SciPol 101 open-access curriculum flyer, available at snapcoalition.org starting October 1

SNAPStart: Mini-Grant Program for New SciPol Orgs

We are grateful to have received many wonderful applications to our first mini-grant program (deadline August 31st)! There are so many student groups around the country that are trying to make a difference in the science policy, communication, and outreach space. We will email all the applicants with the decisions and next steps very soon.

External Opportunities

Fellowships and Jobs: Newly Hiring

Fellowships and Jobs: From Last Newsletter (Still Hiring!)

Events

Op-Ed Workshop flyer: Q&A with Clay Risen, reporter at The New York Times, September 24th at 12pm ET

  • Join us on September 23rd at 5pm ET for a panel on working at the intersection of Science and Law! Interested in how science is at play in the courts? Curious about a fellowship in the Judicial branch? Register ahead of time here!
  • Join us Sept. 24th at 12 p.m. ET for a Q&A info session to learn from former NYT op-ed writer Clay Risen about how to write and pitch an effective op-ed!
  • The Association of Science Communicators has started a monthly speaker series and monthly virtual networking! Check out those events here.
  • Science Policy Resume Workshop: Tuesday September 29 from 12-1pm PT (3-4pm ET). Join the Science Policy Group at UCSF and SCOPE for a hybrid resume workshop led by Dr. Adriana Bankston, a research advocate, government relations advisor, and former AAAS/ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow. Adriana will share some of the skills that science policy jobs and fellowships look for and discuss ways to effectively tailor your resume to highlight your relevant expertise. Register here for this free workshop!

Resources and Opportunities

DID YOU KNOW? SNAP hosts a community calendar where you can find these events and more!

Want to see your events shared with the SNAP community? Shoot us an email at snapscipolorg@gmail.com, and we will get it posted!

✨SNAPper Highlights and Achievements ✨

Check out these recent works by SNAP members and works mentioning SNAP members or initiatives!

  • SNAPper Sneha Rao participated as a panelist in Research!America’s Learning Lunch session, “Current Issues in Science Policy for Student-Researchers & Early Career Scientists”. Learn more about Research!America’s events here.
  • 🎉A major congratulations to the newly-minted SNAP Dr. Emily Selland &?! 🎉
  • SNAPper Isako Di Tomassi is the recipient of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) 2026 Brad Fenwick Fellowship for the Advancement of Civic Science
  • SNAPper Youssef El Gharably was featured for his work with Stance on Science Delaware on 47ABC

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