Happy Space Science Week! Between that and the new Federal AI Policy Framework, I thought we were owed a little Star Trek: The Next Generation. Look for a bonus picture of my own mischievous orange roommate at the end of today’s newsletter.
This week’s update has include an update on the disbursement of NIH grant funding, a Schrödinger's director situation at the CDC, and new investigations into admissions practices in higher education.
Federal Research Policy
The Association of American Universities has a nice piece summarizing the grant slowdown at NIH this year. According to a new analysis done by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), NIH has obligated just 15% of its budget halfway through the fiscal year.
A few other pieces about the effect of NIH grant cuts over the last year:
Vox has a piece visualizing last year’s cuts.
A new analysis of research-related spending published in PNAS indicates that the NIH cuts disproportionately affected women and early career researchers.
Another analysis, this time of fellowship awards, indicates that Black PIs were disproportionately affected by cuts to training grants.
The White House has released its National AI Policy Framework. Rolling Stone and others have coverage.
The President has announced the first members of his President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Science has coverage.
Congress has voted to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for five years. Funding for these programs has been halted for six months. At present, the bill is awaiting to be signed off on by the President.
Public Health
The CDC has a Schrödinger's director situation.
According to federal law, acting officials can serve in the place of a Senate confirmed official for only 210 days.
This Thursday marked 210 since Susan Monarez was fired as CDC Director.
The Administration has not yet nominated a replacement for acting director Jay Bhattacharya, who will no longer hold the title but will continue in the role.
The Washington Post had some reporting earlier this weeks about the short list of potential candidates, but nothing has been announced yet.
New York Magazine has a nice timeline describing last eight months at the CDC.
Higher Education
The Department of Education has launched a pair of new investigations into Harvard - one examining whether the University has complied with the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling striking down affirmative action and the other into antisemitism complaints on campus.
The Department of Justice has informed Stanford University, the Ohio State University and the University of California: San Diego that has opened investigations into the admissions at their medical schools.
Mischievous Meatball