MAX PIXELWhether preprints belong in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant applications has quickly become a contentious subject within the life science community. While spokespeople for Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) told The Scientist earlier this month that it unequivocally does not support “the inclusion of preprints or interim research products in NIH grant applications at this time,” the U.K.’s Medical Research Council (MRC) and other organizations have voiced their support of preprints.
Now, the preprint proponents at ASAPbio have launched a petition asking NIH to allow the inclusion of preprints in grants, and more than 600 scientists have already signed—including many who are technically represented by FASEB. ASAPbio also published a point-by-point rebuttal to FASEB’s statement.
Meanwhile, FASEB noted that its position statement on preprints represents the consensus of the organization’s 125,000 constituents. “We’re very confident that this does reflect the views of the community,” Yvette Seger, director of science policy at FASEB, told The Scientist this month. She added that “there was no clear position in support” for the inclusion of preprints in NIH grant applications.
But some scientists are adamant that the FASEB statement does not represent their opinions. “So FASEB is certain that they ...
