APA Activities Supporting the National Institutes of Health Peer Review

APA science policy staff continue to monitor increasing congressional inquiries regarding research funding decisions made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Given the recent doubling of the NIH budget, it is understandable that Congress would exercise its oversight authority to ensure that scarce federal research dollars are being spent on high quality research that is relevant to the public health. However, congressional attempts to restrict funding for peer-reviewed research grants that have been through the NIH’s rigorous peer-review process have alerted the scientific community that policymakers need more information about the public health significance of behavioral research as well as information on the peer review process.

Psychologists are encouraged to show their support of NIH and scientific integrity by signing on to a petition developed by the Coalition to Protect Research, which is co-chaired by APA.

You can still take action on this issue. Sign the Coalition to Protect Research Petition Now.

Action Alert!  Protect Psychological Research at NIH (6/22/05) 
More information:
Coalition to Protect Research Briefing Sheet [PDF]*
Letter from APA CEO Norman Anderson to House of Representatives [PDF]*
Statement of Rep. Leach in Support of Peer Review
Rep. Neugebauer's attack on NIMH [PDF]*

Coalition to Protect Research

Controversy over Scientific Integrity in Policy Making

Links to relevant reports, statements, and other information regarding accusations of misuse of science by the Bush Administration

Archived background information:

Read Neugebauer's amendments (9/9/04) 

Letter from House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young (R-FL) and House Labor/HHS Subcommittee Chairman Ralph Regula (R-OH) to all House members regarding the possibility of another amendment (8/13/04) [PDF]*

Read the APA bulletin - "Sexual Health Grants Targeted By Conservative Group"

Read the APA Statement on Peer Review Process (11/03)

Lost in Translation: Public Health Implications of Sexual Health Research - A Congressional Briefing (3/04)

From SPIN: House Defeats Attempt to De-Fund Selected NIH Grants, Senate Debate Expected in September (7/03)

NIH Grants Targeted by House Amendment

Transcript of House Floor Debate on the Amendment offered by Rep. Toomey to Defund Five NIH Grants

See how your representative voted

Other links of interest:

NIH Responds to Congressional Inquiry [PDF 600K]*

NIH to Defend Dozens of Disputed Studies
USA TODAY

"Politics and Science" - Web site of Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA)

2002 Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior [PDF]*

*Requires free download of Adobe Reader.

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