The ATS commented on a number of timely issues including scientific publication policy and the need for more rapid funding mechanisms for emerging infectious disease pandemics in response to the NIH’s recent RFI for the development of the NIH-wide Strategic Plan, FY2016 - 2020. Commenting on a proposal from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to provide immediate public access to all scientific publications supported by federal research grants, the ATS expressed concerns about the financial implications to scientific manuscript authors, journals and the NIH. On infectious disease funding, the ATS called for accelerated funding mechanisms for short- and long-term research projects in areas with strong translational potential including virulence and epidemiology, vaccine and other therapies development, diagnostic tests and training for healthcare workers and researchers.

The ATS also urged NIH to provide funding to fully implement the research goals of the COPD National Action Plan and additionally to expand efforts into better understanding of the pathobiology of respiratory diseases, critical illnesses, and sleep disorders in order to pave the way for development diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention strategies to address the growing public health burden of these illnesses. The ATS is working with peer organizations to monitor any potential developments on journal access policy. The NIH is expected to release its updated strategic plan for 2021 – 2025 in December 2020.