Yesterday, the American Crystallographic Association submitted formal comments to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), the federal regulations that govern how research grants are awarded and administered.

The ACA is joining the American Physical Society (APS) and a coalition of scientific and research organizations to help ensure the voice of the research community is heard as the federal government considers significant changes to the regulations governing federal research grants.

If you’ve attended an ACA meeting, you probably know that I travel with what I jokingly call my “unpaid labor” — also known as family members. What started as immediate family support has evolved, and for the past two years my mother has joined me, faithfully working the registration desk.