Board of Directors December 7-8, 2023, Meeting Summary

Key highlights of the December Federation Board meeting included a bi-annual report on open science, review and discussion of the Board’s 2023 assessment, and an exercise to brainstorm the objectives for a proposed task force focused on Generative AI including Large Language Models (Gen AI).

The Board spent a substantial amount of time discussing FASEB’s 2024 budget and operating plan. FASEB staff also presented status updates on two major strategic initiatives: DEAI and DataWorks!, including timelines for updated business plans. These discussions culminated in Board approval for the budget and operating plan. 

The Board approved the following responses to Federal policies:

• NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Request for Information seeking input on its proposed guidance for the care and use of cephalopods in research
• NSF’s Safe and Inclusive Fieldwork (SAIF) Pilot Principal Investigator survey Information Collection Request
• Department of Homeland Security's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing H-1B Visa requirements
• National Science Foundation’s (NSF) RFI on the NSF Public Access Plan 2.0: Ensuring Open, Immediate, and Equitable Access to National Science Foundation Funded Research

The Board reviewed market research gathered to assess biological and biomedical conferences and events and the value they provide. The Board then participated in a generative exercise to identify challenges and opportunities related to areas where additional insight from researchers who participate in scientific meetings is needed.