The hottest Research Funding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

No, University Endowments Can’t Replace Federal Science Funding

Can We Still Govern? • 205 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Higher education Research Funding Inequality
  1. University endowments are not a single pool of money. They are made up of many funds that come with specific rules about how they can be used.
  2. Only a few universities have very large endowments, while most institutions struggle financially. So, using these endowments to compensate for federal funding cuts wouldn’t work.
  3. The idea of taxing large endowments might seem fair, but it could harm universities. It's important to use those funds for broader access and support for smaller schools instead.

2.3% chance an asteroid hits Earth, book blurbs finally die, and the new AI Deep Research can't find me a mattress

The Intrinsic Perspective • 10063 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🔬 Science Astrophysics Publishing Artificial Intelligence Research Funding
  1. There’s a small but growing chance that an asteroid could hit Earth, currently about 2.3%. This could lead to serious problems if it hits a populated area.
  2. Book publishers like Simon & Schuster are dropping the requirement for authors to get book blurbs, which is a relief for new writers who struggle with this.
  3. The NIH is reducing the indirect costs that universities take from research grants. This means more money will go directly to scientists rather than the universities.

Indirect Costs at NIH . . .

The Good Science Project • 297 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Government regulations Research Funding
  1. The NIH has announced a big change, lowering the indirect cost rate for all grants to 15%. This move has raised many eyebrows because it seems to go against some existing laws.
  2. Congress had previously banned the NIH from changing how indirect costs are calculated. This makes the new policy potentially illegal and could lead to court challenges.
  3. To really address indirect costs properly, there needs to be a focus on reducing the red tape and regulations that universities face. This could help create more efficient funding and research processes.

Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government spending Research Funding Federal Agencies
  1. The Department of Education recently canceled many important research contracts worth millions, which could hurt understanding of U.S. education performance. It's like throwing away progress that’s already been made.
  2. Some of the canceled projects were mandated by Congress, meaning they were created to meet specific educational goals. Stopping them now is not only wasteful but also goes against legislative intentions.
  3. High-quality education research is crucial for making informed decisions about teaching and learning. Canceling these studies may leave educators and policymakers without the data they need to improve education.

A week of chaos in public health

Your Local Epidemiologist • 3907 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Changes Epidemiology Research Funding Health Communication
  1. There has been a major pause in public health communications and research, which could lead to delays in tackling important health threats like bird flu.
  2. The changes in public health leadership could have serious impacts on funding for research and the health safety systems that protect communities.
  3. Despite the chaos, local public health teams are still crucial and will keep working to ensure community health, showing that public health is about more than just federal leadership.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

NIH reduced indirects from 60+% to 15%: 10 things you should know

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 148 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Research Funding Higher education Academic Integrity
  1. The NIH has lowered the amount of money it gives to universities from over 60% to 15%. This means more money can go to actual researchers instead of administrative costs.
  2. This change will make universities operate differently, encouraging them to reduce unnecessary costs and possibly hold faculty more accountable for their behavior.
  3. Lowering these indirect costs could lead to more funding for research projects. Researchers might actually benefit from this change, as it could increase the number of grants available.

Why should you care about an indirect cost?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2155 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Research Funding Policy Changes Community Engagement Epidemiology
  1. Indirect costs are essential for research. They cover things like rent and internet, helping researchers do their work effectively.
  2. A proposed cut in indirect costs could greatly harm universities and their communities. This could lead to job losses and less innovation, affecting everyone.
  3. Researchers need to do a better job of connecting with the public. If people understand the importance of research funding, they may be more likely to support it.

NIH study sections are broken

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding Public Health Scientific Integrity Policy Debate Health Disparities
  1. NIH study sections often fund unambitious science instead of groundbreaking research. This is a problem because many mediocre scientists are in charge, which doesn't help advance science.
  2. There's a heavy focus on diversity and inclusion in NIH grants, but much of it just repeats what we already know. Instead, we need better treatments for everyone, regardless of race or status.
  3. The review process for grants can discourage scientists from speaking out on important issues. This silence can lead to a lack of innovative ideas and solutions in research.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #25

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Energy Policy Technology Policy Research Funding Infrastructure
  1. AI is creating a big boom in US construction, especially for data centers. Spending on these centers has grown a lot since the launch of ChatGPT.
  2. The US government has plans to triple its nuclear power by 2050. This is to keep up with the demand for clean energy as AI and industries grow.
  3. There is a push for a new research initiative to support advanced science fields like quantum computing. This aims to keep the US ahead in technology against competitive countries.

What I would change at NSF

Heterodox STEM • 355 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Funding Public Policy STEM Education Scientific Integrity Government reform
  1. The NSF should refocus on funding high-quality scientific research based solely on merit rather than identity politics.
  2. Key reforms include changing their vision and core values to prioritize excellence in science.
  3. Unnecessary offices and initiatives that do not contribute to scientific advancement should be eliminated to streamline the NSF's efforts.

When RAND Made Magic + Jason Matheny Response

ChinaTalk • 340 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Think Tanks Foreign Policy Military Strategy Research Funding Public Policy
  1. RAND Corporation was once at the forefront of military and scientific research, making groundbreaking contributions in areas like game theory and defense strategy during the Cold War.
  2. Over time, RAND has shifted its focus from cutting-edge scientific research to social and policy analysis, leading to a decline in its innovative output as it navigated new funding sources and political landscapes.
  3. Despite its challenges, RAND continues to play a significant role in addressing modern security issues, adapting its research to tackle contemporary challenges like military capabilities and psychological impacts of war.

The Long Road to End Tuberculosis

Asimov Press • 193 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Disease Control Vaccination Antibiotics Public Health Research Funding
  1. Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major global health threat, killing around 1.2 million people each year despite vaccines and antibiotics that help in treatment. There is a pressing need for new medicines and vaccines to reduce TB cases and deaths significantly.
  2. The current BCG vaccine against TB has varied effectiveness, especially in adults, and has not been updated for decades. Newer vaccine candidates like M72/AS01E are being developed to provide better protection, particularly for adults.
  3. Antibiotic resistance in TB is a growing concern, making it harder to treat. New strategies to discover antibiotics and improve existing treatments are crucial for combating resistant strains of TB and ensuring effective patient care.

Letter from Harvard

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🔬 Science Research Funding Medical Science Cancer Research Public Policy Higher education
  1. The end of federal funding for research can hurt students, especially those from low-income families, making it harder for them to contribute to important medical advancements.
  2. A lot of scientific research relies on federal money, and cuts can disrupt ongoing projects and harm future innovation, making it a complex issue beyond just budget cuts.
  3. Having more people involved in science is great, but it raises questions about how to fund it fairly. We need to ensure that decisions on funding are made wisely and not based on popularity.

Should Kentucky spend $42 million on ibogaine research? 5 Questions for drug abuse researcher William Stoops

The Microdose • 412 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Treatment Research Funding
  1. Ibogaine research proposal in Kentucky faces skepticism and concerns about effectiveness and safety.
  2. Complications in ibogaine research include lack of rigorous scientific evidence and potential dangerous cardiac effects.
  3. Alternative ways to spend $42 million to address opioid use disorder, including improving access to evidence-based treatments and behavioral interventions.

Small, Fast Grants at the National Science Foundation

The Good Science Project • 33 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Funding Federal Agencies Philanthropy
  1. The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers small, fast grants that can jumpstart new research ideas, but they aren't used as much as they could be. It's important to increase funding for these types of grants to support innovation.
  2. Philanthropists and foundations should avoid copying the processes of big federal agencies like the NSF and instead focus on their strengths, which can lead to better outcomes in research funding.
  3. Scientists are encouraged to take on roles as science funders, creating opportunities for small grants that can lead to impactful research. This approach can greatly benefit the scientific community.

Interview with Daniel MacArthur

The Good Science Project • 26 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genomics Research Funding Medical Research Health Technology
  1. Daniel MacArthur is working on making genomic medicine fairer for all communities. His research includes studying genetic differences in underrepresented groups to improve health outcomes.
  2. He believes that funding for science needs to be more flexible and stable. This would allow researchers to take risks and pursue long-term projects without the constant pressure of grant deadlines.
  3. MacArthur thinks research organizations should be built specifically to support scientific work. Many current institutions are not designed for research, making it harder for scientists to succeed.

How to Improve Both Scientific Innovation and Reproducibility at Once

The Good Science Project • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Innovation Research Funding Data Integrity
  1. Science struggles with two main issues: not being able to reproduce results and not being as innovative as before. Many studies can't be repeated successfully, which raises concerns about their reliability.
  2. To boost both reproducibility and innovation, it's important to encourage sharing of failed experiments and null results. This would help scientists take risks and avoid only publishing positive outcomes.
  3. Creating 'Red Teams' in science can challenge current beliefs and assumptions. These groups would actively work to test and potentially disprove existing theories, fostering better scientific inquiry.

The Impact of Long COVID

The Weekly Gazette • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Chronic Illness Healthcare access Research Funding Patient Advocacy
  1. Long COVID can cause serious, long-term health issues like fatigue and insomnia for many people, severely affecting their daily lives. It shows that COVID-19 can have impacts even after the infection is gone.
  2. Research on Long COVID is ongoing, but there is no single treatment available yet. Many patients end up managing symptoms on their own while waiting for better solutions.
  3. Long COVID has brought attention to other similar conditions, like chronic fatigue syndrome, which have also been underfunded. Patients are increasingly advocating for more research and treatment options.

AI’s Brain Drain

Technically Optimistic • 2 HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Academia Tech Companies Research Funding Immigration Policy
  1. Tech companies are attracting a significant number of academics, leading to a shortage of educators for the next generation of AI innovators.
  2. Academic researchers are facing challenges accessing resources like compute power and data, which are essential for AI advancements, with many turning to industry partnerships or shifting to tech company jobs.
  3. There is a need for government support to allow academics to focus on fundamental AI research without solely profit-driven motivations, in order to maintain tech leadership, national security, and economic benefits.

What to Learn from US Govt Strategy on AI

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 16
🕹 Technology AI Government Strategy Research Funding Regulation
  1. The US government's approach to AI shows urgency by preparing comprehensive national plans in a short amount of time.
  2. AI is seen as commercially significant with increased investment in human and financial capital.
  3. China has become a leader in AI research, surpassing the US in certain aspects, indicating a shift in global dynamics and the need for strategic preparation.