Clark, MSU prof inform lawmakers about NIH grant process

Updated 11:00 AM December 19, 2003

Clark, MSU prof inform lawmakers about NIH grant process

By Mark Burnham
U-M Washington Office

Representatives of U-M and Michigan State University briefed staff from the Michigan congressional delegation Dec. 9 about how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) selects grants for funding through peer review, and said the process should not be politicized.

Noreen Clark, dean of the School of Public Health, and Richard Lenski, Hannah Professor of Microbial Ecology at MSU, made the joint presentation to the staff members about the importance of the peer review system and social/behavioral research.

The briefing was organized jointly by the U-M and MSU Washington offices in response to recent attacks on NIH research grants by some conservative groups.

Clark's presentation detailed why the federal government funds social/behavioral research. She said it is especially important that the delegation staff learn how academic research goes through peer review at the time the grant is awarded, but recognize also that grant findings are peer-reviewed before they are published.

"Protecting the integrity of the peer review process is fundamental to advancing science and the public's health," Clark said.

All in attendance agreed there likely will be more attempts to rescind funding for controversial grants in the future. Members of the University community hope the briefing will enable the Michigan delegation to better defend academic research at NIH the next time such efforts to eliminate funding occur.

Clark, MSU prof inform lawmakers about NIH grant process

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