Colleges could compete for grants to repeat federally funded studies

The National Science Foundation would award grants through competitive review. The grants would help colleges repeat federally funded studies. Applicants would need to show they can rely on existing resources or minimal new purchases. Reviewers would weigh scientific value, research capacity, costs, and conflicts of interest.

Colleges could fund tuition and student support payments through grants to repeat federally funded studies. Only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents would qualify. Students would need to plan to enroll, or attend full time, in a research master’s program in science, technology, engineering, or math. They would need a bachelor’s degree in those fields related to the funded research and no doctorate or other degree considered highest in its field.

The National Science Foundation could not use protected traits to favor or disadvantage grant applicants. These rules would cover race, religion, sex, and other traits protected by federal law. Grant terms also could not openly or indirectly require applicants to discriminate or give favorable or unfavorable treatment based on those traits while conducting research.