The hottest Research Funding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Metascience at the NIH

The Good Science Project • 59 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Funding
  1. The NIH is looking to limit high article processing charges for open-access journals. This is important because some journals ask for really high fees that can take away from research funding.
  2. The NIH is working to reduce bureaucracy that slows down research. Researchers spend a lot of time on paperwork, which could be better spent on their actual science work.
  3. There’s a focus on funding more replication experiments in science. This is key because it helps check if important research findings are true and not based on mistakes or fraud.

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 Research Funding
  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.

The Long Road to End Tuberculosis

Asimov Press • 193 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics 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.
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Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Research Funding
  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.

NIH study sections are broken

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding
  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.

Small, Fast Grants at the National Science Foundation

The Good Science Project • 33 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Funding
  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 Research Funding
  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.

Reupping an Article on Katalin Kariko

The Good Science Project • 70 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🔬 Science Research Funding
  1. New scientific institutes funded by Silicon Valley aim to advance scientific progress quickly.
  2. The current system of science funding is seen as uncreative and inflexible.
  3. It's important to fund a diverse range of people and ideas, including those that may currently seem unpopular or unworkable, to uncover groundbreaking discoveries.

Letter from Harvard

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🔬 Science Research Funding
  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.

AI’s Brain Drain

Technically Optimistic • 2 HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Research Funding
  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.

The war on science isn’t limited to the U.S.

Critical Mass • 5 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🔬 Science Research Funding
  1. The fight against science is happening not just in the U.S., but in many countries like Canada too. It's important to be aware that these issues affect global scientific progress.
  2. There are attacks on scientific research funding and educational programs that threaten the integrity of universities. This has serious implications for how knowledge is pursued and shared.
  3. Public activism, voting, and awareness are crucial in combating these issues. Engaging in discussions and protests can help protect the values of free inquiry in science.

How to Improve Both Scientific Innovation and Reproducibility at Once

The Good Science Project • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🔬 Science Research Funding
  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 Research Funding
  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.

What to Learn from US Govt Strategy on AI

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 16
🕹 Technology Research Funding
  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.