NIH would bar political employees from research funding decisions

Federal health officials would keep political employees out of research funding decisions. The restriction would cover NIH and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), including political employees and people acting for them. The restriction would cover seeking proposals, reviewing and scoring applications, choosing recipients, and awarding funding. The text preserves requirements in sections 406 and 492. Within 30 days of enactment, NIH would report involvement from January 20, 2021, through the enactment date.

NIH would restrict political employees from working there or helping carry out its management policies. Political employees would include specified senior appointees, confidential or policy staff, and people acting for them. The directors of NIH, the National Cancer Institute, and ARPA-H would be exempt. Political employees at other federal agencies could participate where the relevant Public Health Service Act title specifically requires it. The text preserves requirements in sections 406 and 492.

NIH would need written findings before canceling, delaying, or suspending covered research agreements. The rule would cover NIH grants, contracts, and other research funding agreements, including payment holds. Written findings would have to identify financial mismanagement, research fraud, exclusion from receiving government awards, or other wrongdoing tied to the agreement. Agreements would have to follow their terms for their full stated period. Within 30 days after cancellation or suspension, officials would send the findings and notice to the named House and Senate committees.