Yesterday, the CAP submitted comments in opposition to a proposed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule that would make sweeping changes to how federally funded research is reviewed, funded, and managed.
- The CAP urged the OMB to strengthen the rigor, independence, and transparency of peer review.
What’s raising concern: Among other changes, the proposal would increase the role of political appointees in research funding decisions, expand the government’s authority to terminate research funding, and alter longstanding peer review processes.
Member response: More than 170 CAP members submitted comments through a CAP Action Alert, urging OMB to preserve rigorous peer review, protect independent scientific inquiry, and maintain a merit-based research funding process.
The bigger picture: The CAP also signed two other coalition letters opposing the proposed rule.
- One letter was organized by the Cancer Leadership Council, a coalition of patient advocacy and scientific organizations.
- Last month, the CAP joined 163 scientific and medical organizations in raising concerns with congressional leaders about the proposal’s limits on publishing and sharing findings from federally funded research.
What’s next: The public comment period has ended. The CAP will continue to monitor the proposal and advocate for policies that support scientific excellence, innovation, and patient care.