NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR)

Abstract

NIH grant funding has dropped such that many investigators are walking away, opting for other careers or retirement. It surprises me that America spends time, money, and effort to train scientists to a high level, and then tortures them for life in an impossible grant-funding system. It also surprises me that we convince young people to pursue careers in biomedical research. Part of the problem is insufficient funds. However, another serious problem, that is always present but becomes dominant when funding drops, is a breakdown in ethics and competence at NIH Study Sections. I provide examples that have affected me, but I believe many superb investigators have been forced out of science to the detriment of biomedical research.