New executive order erodes key principles of scientific merit, integrity and innovative thinking
The ASBMB is deeply concerned about a recent executive order that changes how scientific research is funded.
Sept. 10, 2025
The United States has led the world in driving scientific innovation and breakthroughs for decades; we have paved the way for discovering new treatments in cancer, furthering our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s and strengthening our agricultural systems. This has been in large part due to our highly competitive, thorough and unbiased research peer review system that funds competitive, cutting-edge research in all fifty states. Our peer review system and innovative research enterprise have become a blueprint for driving economic growth and discoveries around the world.
The U.S.’s gold standard research enterprise relies on and thrives off principles of scientific merit, integrity and innovating thinking, all of which are guaranteed by an unbiased review process. While we are always supportive of efforts to increase efficient oversight of federal funds and funding research that improves American lives, the recently published executive order, “” risks our country’s strong foundation of our thriving research ecosystem.
This executive order will change our goal standard review process by (1) requiring all federal agencies to designate senior political officials to review and approve all discretionary grant opportunities, (2) relegating peer review to advisory influence over funding decisions, (3) favoring institutions with lower indirect cost rates, and (4) increasing agency discretion to cancel grants midstream.
These collected changes will erode trust and integrity in the American research ecosystem and ultimately slow or halt research that is on the verge of driving cures. Our research enterprise has led the world in pioneering scientific discovery and continues to attract the brightest minds to study and work here. Relinquishing the key principles that have built a flourishing research enterprise will mean we relinquish our role as leaders in science and technology.
The ASBMB urges political leadership to restore full faith in our peer review system and continue to maintain our gold standard of driving scientific innovation by sustaining an unbiased peer review system that funds the most scientifically meritorious research.