The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) expresses deep concern regarding the recent Executive Order “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” which requires political appointees to review and approve new scientific funding opportunities. This policy threatens the integrity and independence of the scientific process and jeopardizes the nation’s ability to address critical challenges.
The cornerstone of U.S. scientific leadership is a rigorous, merit-based peer-review system. This process, which relies on objective evaluation by scientific experts, ensures that funding is awarded to the most promising and impactful research projects. By abruptly inserting political appointees into this process, the Executive Order introduces the risk of bias, potentially undermining decades of scientific progress and innovation.
Scientific research is essential for tackling complex issues such as climate change, emerging infectious diseases, food security, and medical and pharmaceutical innovation. These challenges do not conform to political ideologies. By prioritizing political approval over scientific merit, the new policy could delay or prevent vital research from being funded, ultimately compromising our national health, security, and economic competitiveness.
“The strength of our scientific enterprise is built on trust and a commitment to evidence-based decision-making,” said AIBS CEO Scott Glisson. “Injecting political influence into the grant review process erodes that trust and will ultimately harm our nation’s ability to innovate and solve pressing problems.”
AIBS urges the Administration to reconsider this approach and uphold the principles of scientific independence and evidence-based decision-making. We must empower scientists to lead the way in finding solutions, not hinder their efforts with unnecessary political oversight.
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