Caleb Watney, co-chief executive of the Institute for Progress (IFP), recently drew attention to the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) challenges in adapting to contemporary scientific research landscapes, as articulated in his New York Times opinion piece published on March 19, 2025. Watney's social media post, featuring an eye emoji and a link, served to spotlight his critical assessment of the current science funding ecosystem.
The core of Watney's argument, detailed in the article "Doge, NIH, Science, America," centers on the evolving nature of cutting-edge science, which increasingly originates outside traditional academic laboratories. He contends that the NIH, as the world's largest public funder of biomedical research, is struggling to adequately support these emerging, often non-traditional, research models. This includes entities like Janelia Research Campus, the Arc Institute, and a growing number of non-profit startups known as Focused Research Organizations (FROs), which frequently rely on philanthropic funding to drive scientific progress.
The Institute for Progress, co-founded by Watney, advocates for significant reforms to enhance the efficiency and dynamism of the scientific system. Key policy recommendations from IFP include increasing funding for basic research, streamlining the often-complex NIH grant application process, and reducing the substantial administrative burden that prevents scientists from their primary research activities. IFP also champions the promotion of interdisciplinary research and the active support of new research models beyond conventional academic structures.
Watney's commentary underscores a broader call for less administrative bloat within science funding. The IFP's vision for the NIH emphasizes focusing on "grand challenges" in biomedical research, fostering high-risk, high-reward projects, and improving data sharing practices. These proposed changes aim to make the NIH more effective, efficient, and equitable in addressing 21st-century scientific and public health needs, ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of innovation.