Public investment in scientific research is the cornerstone of our nation’s long-term success in meeting economic, global, and national security challenges. In Rochester, we are particularly aware of scientific research’s impact on our community’s health, economic development, and quality of life. We know that research projects carefully designed to offer insights into the physical world, biological processes and society continue to make our lives better.
Funding is awarded on merit-based, peer-reviewed process. In this process, proposals compete for resources based on their scientific merit and broader societal impact. Researchers propose how to solve a scientific problem. Experienced scientists review those proposals and decide which ones are of the highest importance and most merit funding, subject to budget constraints, free from outside interference.
While Congress has the duty to conduct oversight and ensure accountability of public funds, the integrity and transparency of the scientific process is paramount and has served our nation well. However, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is currently conducting a review on grants issued by the agency for some 60 merit-reviewed projects, including one from the University of Rochester. Like many others in the scientific community, we are deeply concerned about the nature of these inquiries and the impact it could have on the scientific enterprise. Scientific research awarded through peer-review process should not be subject to political or ideological interference.
The Association of American Universities also issued a statement about this on Nov. 10, expressing similar concern: http://www.aau.edu/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15678
