OBFS is pleased to announce the 2025 Congressional Visits Day will return in person this year! The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) event will be held from April 28-30, 2025 in Washington, D.C. In addition, AIBS is offering a Communications Bootcamp for Scientists taking place on April 28-29.
The AIBS Congressional Visits Day program gives OBFS members the opportunity to meet with our members of Congress to help them understand the important role the federal government plays in supporting the biological sciences in general, and especially field stations and marine laboratories (FSMLs).
Participants will be provided with an in-person communications and advocacy training program by AIBS that prepares them to be effective advocates for their science. AIBS will provide participants with background information and materials, as well as arrange meetings with lawmakers on April 30. General information about the Congressional Visits Day can be found here.
OBFS will sponsor a limited number of participants to these events and cover costs including airfare, hotel, and registration. Awardees will be expected to prepare a summary of their experience for publication in the OBFS annual report. These activities are often cited as some of the most rewarding experiences for the OBFS community.
If you are interested in participating in either event, please complete the online 2025 OBFS AIBS Congressional Visits Day Application by February 14th, 2025. Selection of participants will aim to represent the broadest possible geographic, demographic and field station factors. Please contact Paul Foster (pfoster@bijagual.org), the OBFS Liaison to AIBS, Conner Philson (philson@ucsb.edu), the OBFS Outreach and Communications Committee Chair, and Itchung Cheung (itchung.cheung@oregonstate.edu), the OBFS Collaborations Committee Chair with any questions. Please see the OBFS Advocacy Webpage for more information on OBFS advocacy efforts!