Case Study: Advocacy
Relief Obtained for Biomedical Research Institutes

Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC worked with one of its clients, a group of independent biomedical research institutes, to gain recognition by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for special treatment under a regulatory permit process. The NRC's limited understanding about the work of these institutions resulted in expensive annual licensing fees equivalent to those paid by commercial entities. Lewis-Burke helped the research institutes identify the specific issue, assisted in articulating the message – that the institutes were more properly categorized with other nonprofits which conduct research, and then worked with the client to develop a strategy to fix the problem. After drafting a series of letters and providing background materials to NRC senior management officials, Lewis-Burke then arranged a meeting with NRC officials so that the research institutes’ representatives and Lewis-Burke’s professional staff could answer the agency's questions. The result?  The agency signed a series of waivers exempting such institutes from the expensive licensing fees.