The ISSCR joined more than 50 scientific societies to send a letter to U.S. congressional leaders expressing concerns over provisions in the recent Executive Order (EO) titled “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.” The letter details how E.O. provisions threaten the long-standing merit-based peer review system that has been the gold standard for supporting cutting-edge research and driving technological innovation. Provisions the letter highlights include those on shifting the review and selection of research awards to political appointees, expansion of “termination for convenience” authority over awarded grants, vague language regarding repeat grant recipients, and the prioritization of institutions with the lowest indirect cost rates. The letter urges Congress to provide necessary oversight at scientific agencies to prevent potentially significant damage to the federal scientific grantmaking process.

The ISSCR joined over 160 biomedical and other research organizations to urge U.S. House and Senate appropriators to ensure that essential costs of research continue to be adequately supported by the federal government. These costs, currently collectively known as “indirect costs” or “facilities and administrative” support, are essential to performing high quality scientific research and include expenses like physical lab maintenance, utility costs, data processing, and regulatory compliance. The letter urges appropriators to preserve federal support for essential research expenses, to block arbitrary caps on these costs, and to ensure there is a sufficient transition period for agencies and institutions to make necessary changes to effectively transition to any alternative funding model.