ACA Action Toolkit

These resources provide best practices for effectively communicating your stories to policymakers who shape the future of scientific research. While the ACA, as a nonprofit, is limited in its political activities, that does not mean you, as an individual and a scientist, cannot stand up for science. These tools will help you gain confidence in advocating for the scientific community—supporting structural science, championing long-term, stable funding for our nation’s science agencies, and making your voice heard for science today!

Find Your Representative 

Communication with Government Representatives

When interacting with lawmakers—whether in person, over the phone, or through letters—it’s essential to approach the conversation with professionalism and respect to make a meaningful impact. Staying informed, respectful, and focused on solutions will ensure that your message is heard and increases your chances of success. This guide will help you navigate your advocacy efforts, no matter the communication method.

Meeting with Your Lawmaker

As a community member, you have the right to meet with your local, state and federal lawmakers and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Direct engagement is one of the most effective ways to ensure your voice is heard. To make the most of your meeting, come prepared with a clear, specific request—whether it’s urging support or opposition for a bill or seeking their assistance in addressing a critical issue.

Once your meeting is scheduled, outline key talking points to keep your message focused and impactful. Afterward, be sure to send a thank-you email to express appreciation and reinforce your message. This follow-up also provides an opportunity to share any additional resources relevant to your discussion.

Below, you’ll find a collection of resources to help you effectively communicate complex scientific topics to non-scientists and confidently advise your representative on the issue and the goals you envision.

Offer a Lab Tour for Legislatures

Hosting a member of Congress at your institution is a powerful opportunity to showcase the critical role of federal funding in advancing scientific research. This visit allows you to engage directly with the official and their staff, highlighting groundbreaking research at your institution and emphasizing the broader impact of congressional support on researchers and the community as a whole.

• Step 1: Identify Your Members of Congress

• Each U.S. citizen is represented by one representative and two senators. You can find your representatives through the House and Senate websites. When engaging with policymakers, it’s essential to advocate for crystallography and its crucial role in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and advanced research.

• Step 2: Develop an Itinerary

• Before contacting your elected officials, create a detailed plan for the tour, focusing on areas where crystallography research plays a pivotal role:

• Which crystallography laboratories or facilities should they visit?

• Who will join the tour (colleagues, graduate students, industry partners)?

• What are the most impactful projects or breakthroughs related to crystallography that you want to highlight?

• Will there be a discussion or lecture about the relevance of crystallography in solving global challenges, such as drug design or advanced materials?

• Be prepared for last-minute changes in schedules and ensure that you have permission from the necessary authorities within your institution.

• Step 3: Schedule a Tour

• Contact your legislators' regional offices to find out when they will be available locally. Additionally, consider reaching out to organizations like the American Crystallographic Association (ACA) for assistance with coordinating the visit.

• Step 4: Research, Practice, and Prepare

• Before the tour, make sure you are well-versed in the key aspects of crystallography research:

• How has crystallography advanced materials science, drug development, and structural biology?

• What are the most recent breakthroughs in techniques like X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, or neutron scattering?

• How does federal funding in crystallography enable discoveries with wide-ranging applications, from improving medical treatments to designing advanced materials for clean energy?

• Ensure that your talking points are clear and accessible, focusing on the importance of continued investment in crystallography research and its societal benefits.

• Step 5: Host the Tour

• Present your research and facilities in a way that demonstrates the powerful applications of crystallography. For example, showcase how crystallographic methods are used to solve complex molecular structures, leading to breakthroughs in drug design or materials innovation. As the meeting concludes, provide legislators with concise, informative materials including this flyer on how federal funding supports structural science and its positive outcomes.  

• Step 6: Follow Up with the Office

• Send a thank-you note to the official and their staff, summarizing the key points of your tour. Offer to provide further details on how crystallography research benefits public health, safety, and technology.

Letter Writing

Mailing a handwritten letter to your government representative is a compelling way to champion the issues that matter most to you. Unlike emails, which can be easily overlooked or filtered out, physical letters are more likely to be noticed, read, and taken seriously. Written communication provides an opportunity to clearly articulate your concerns, present key facts, and make a compelling case for action. Unlike social media or phone calls, a well-crafted letter can be thoughtfully considered and even referenced later by legislative staff. Personalizing your message—sharing how a policy affects you, your community, or your organization—adds weight to your request and makes it more memorable.

Additionally, when multiple constituents send letters on the same issue, it signals strong public interest, increasing the likelihood of legislative attention and action. Whether advocating for policy change, funding, or raising awareness, a letter is a simple yet effective tool for civic engagement.  Encourage your friends and colleagues to join you in a letter-writing campaign.

When writing a letter to government representatives to share scientific information, it's important to use credible sources, clear language, and a persuasive approach.  The first paragraph of your letter should clearly state your position, request, or reason for writing. If your letter concerns a specific policy, ordinance, or piece of legislation, be sure to reference it by name or number (e.g., H.R. 1234 for a federal bill or Ordinance 567 for a local measure). Be respectful, concise, and provide supporting evidence for your position. Focus on one issue per letter and, if possible, keep it to a single page. You may also request a response from your representative.

Contacting Congress 

When it comes to decisions about funding for scientific research and innovation, Congress plays a pivotal role. As the legislative branch of the U.S. government, Congress determines federal budgets, allocates funding to agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and crafts policies that impact scientific progress. When budget cuts threaten critical research or legislative actions pose risks to innovation, it is essential for scientists to voice their concerns directly to lawmakers. By engaging with Congress, researchers can advocate for sustained investment in science, highlight the real-world impact of their work, and ensure that scientific advancement remains a national priority.

Below are two sample letters to help with your communication. These customizable templates can be adapted for various purposes, including correspondence with government officials.

Shape Public Discourse with an Editorial

An op-ed is a persuasive opinion piece typically written by a subject-matter expert offering a unique perspective. It serves as a powerful tool to inform policymakers about issues impacting your community while proposing viable solutions. To maximize its impact, find a media outlet—such as a local newspaper, a science policy journal, or a science magazine—to publish your op-ed. Once you've written and published your piece, consider amplifying your message by starting a letter-writing campaign or meeting with your elected officials. Be sure to support your argument with scholarly research and data.

Here are some recent op-eds written by scientists: