Proposed new US funding rules: We can cancel any grant at any time
The new policy allows political staff to screen research grants for prohibited topics, making peer review optional in the grant approval process.
MAIN POINTS
- Peer review is no longer mandatory for grant approval.
- Political staff will screen grants for certain forbidden topics.
- This change affects how research grants are evaluated.
- The policy introduces political influence into the grant screening process.
TAKEAWAYS
- Researchers may face challenges if their topics are deemed forbidden.
- The integrity of the research funding process could be compromised.
- Political considerations may override scientific merit in grant decisions.
- The change could impact the direction and focus of future research projects.