Supporters of science and government-sponsored research and development will gather at the Wisconsin State Capitol for the “Stand Up for Science” rally on Friday, March 7, from noon–3 p.m. The rally is part of a nationwide event, with rallies organized across all 50 states. The goals of this event are to highlight the economic and lifesaving impact of research in Wisconsin, and to advocate for the restoration of these research funds.
Recent executive orders have dramatically reduced the funds available to perform ongoing research projects. These orders include a major reduction of facilities and administration costs that are historically associated with the direct cost of performing the contracted research. In the state of Wisconsin, National Institutes of Health-sponsored research projects would lose over $1.5 million per week.
The Madison event will feature short speeches from key Wisconsin stakeholders starting at noon in the Capitol Rotunda, addressing the impact on the technology, biotechnology, and agricultural industries, and the impact on biomedical research. The rally will continue outside of the Capitol building with a march around the Capitol Square. There will be additional speeches that include a call to action and opportunities to learn how to advocate for the importance of government-sponsored research as a partnership between universities, research institutes, and the federal government.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information regarding Stand Up for Science, click here.
