With budget cutters looming over NSF and NIH, no smart scientist can ignore what’s happening in Washington.

So, we take note of the MIT Science Policy Initiative. This student group is aimed at :

• educating students in the policies governing science research and innovation

• supporting and facilitating students’ direct engagement in the science policy arena

They lobby, hold policy boot camps,and help scientists become better writers.

More here.

Also, the group points to another MIT project, the NEWScience Policy blog, edited by Abby Benson, Assistant Director of MIT’s Washington DC Office.

This blog" provides a weekly summary of activities and events in Washington, DC affecting science, technology, and innovation policy. While not meant to be exhaustive, it highlights items related to the funding for and execution of basic research across disciplines, and the translation of discoveries into the marketplace."