On June 14, 2024, the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) released a framework for changes within National Institutes of Health (NIH) and asked for public input.

The framework makes recommendations in the areas of mission and leadership reform, funding, and grantees. Public input is due Aug. 16 and can be sent to NIHReform@mail.house.gov.

In summary, the framework would create a commission to lead comprehensive reform about the NIH’s performance, mission, objectives, and programs. It calls for a new oversight entity for certain pathogen research proposals and would transfer power from NIH to a “public, independent oversight entity” to oversee these potentially risky pathogen research. Until the reorganization, the framework calls for NIH to pause such work. It also would bar “gain of function” research in countries designated as foreign adversaries.

In addition, the framework would limit NIH institute directors to two five-year term limits. The framework states that the lack of turnover within NIH’s leadership “may contribute to an inability to adapt to evolving expectations in the workplace or to proactively change an existing workplace culture.” These comments are related to investigations the committee has performed in the past raising concern about NIH’s response to misconduct and sexual harassment complaints with the NIH and at grantee institutions.

It also would include national security or intelligence reviews into the NIH’s existing grant approval process.

Even if reform does not occur, the discussion keeps the focus on gain of function research, and it comes at a time when appropriations discussions are beginning.

To read the full framework click here.