After the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, the political agenda continues to be dominated by issues that affect the research community. The White House and the U.S. Congress will continue to battle over the federal deficit and the impact of the sequestration to spending levels. Policy-makers must also tackle a range of high-priority science issues such as energy security, climate change, and global health issues. Researchers must be more effective and more diplomatic in their communications with lawmakers to enhance the quality of national policy-making. This workshop will provide scientists with the necessary tools to successfully engage in a dialogue with policy-makers.