Tip 1
Start with your own story
Personal experience is more persuasive than statistics alone. Explain what you study, who it helps, and what federal funding made possible in your lab.
Advocate
Advocacy Tips
You don't need to be a policy expert to advocate for science. These practical tips will help your message land — whether you have five minutes or an afternoon.
Tip 2
Be specific about the ask
Name the bill, the agency, or the funding level you're writing about. A clear request such as 'support robust NIH funding in the FY27 budget' is far easier to act on than a general plea.
Tip 3
Keep it short
Congressional staff read hundreds of messages a day. Three short paragraphs about who you are, why it matters, and what you're asking is the right length.
Tip 4
Write as a constituent
Lawmakers answer to the people in their district and state. Always mention where you live and work, it is the single most important detail in your message.
Tip 5
Skip the jargon
Write the way you'd explain your work to a curious neighbor. If a staffer can't summarize your point in one sentence, it won't reach the member.
Tip 6
Follow up, and say thank you
A short follow-up a few weeks later keeps your issue on the radar. And when your representatives vote the right way, thank them — it matters more than you think.
Make your voice heard — five minutes a week is enough to help.