The Society for Personality and Social Psychology has signed on to a letter to encourage full funding for the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act (H.R.869/S.289). The RISE Act would provide $25 billion towards research, prevent setbacks, and further the goal of an inclusive STEM workforce. Read the excerpt below, and click the attached document for the complete statement. Email or message your senators and representatives to request action regarding the need for supplemental research funding.

The widespread, detrimental impact of COVID-19 on research and researchers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, runs counter to the never more visible need for a strong and prolific research & development (R&D) ecosystem. According to a 2020 report from the Council on Government Relations, projected research output loss due to COVID-19 ranges between 20 to 40 percent, with a “potential impact approaching tens of billions of dollars across the entire U.S. research enterprise.”

Beyond the immediate damaging financial losses at the local, state, and federal levels, the long-term repercussions of interrupted research mean that future scientific innovations and discoveries will be squandered or severely delayed. Whether the measure is societal progress, our nation’s ability to preempt and respond to threats like COVID-19, potential lives saved, or U.S. economic competitiveness, failing to shore up our weakened research infrastructure contravenes the best interests of the American people.

Statement organized by ResearchAmerica!

For those wanting to engage more on these issues, as well as support science funding, we recommend visiting COSSA for more resources.