[SOS-PCA] Article: NSF Suspends Funding Program for Biological Specimen Collections

[Lindsey Riibe]

also sent out on other discussion lists - sorry if you receive this message
5 times!Biological specimen troves threatened by funding pause
Article in Nature (News & Comment) on the recent decision by the US
National Science Foundation that cuts $3 - $5 million a year in grants
(equivalent to roughly 0.06% of the agency’s $7.5-billion budget for fiscal
year 2016) primarily used to maintain biological collections such as
herbaria.

The program “could be reinstated, but potentially with a new focus”.
Fortunately, NSF is asking for feedback on the program. "During this time,
the program has been asked to evaluate its value to the research and
education community.  As part of this evaluation we welcome feedback from
any stakeholders, including individuals, institutions, and professional
societies."
Let them know how invaluable our biological collections are! Follow the
link bellow to add your comments.

https://dbinsfblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/csbr-fy17/

Link to the online Nature News story:
http://www.nature.com/news/biological-specimen-troves-threatened-by-funding-pause-1.19599

-- 
Lindsey Riibe
Conservation and Land Management Intern
Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation Program
Washington Office, DC
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