Although not foolproof, this opens up the process to the scientific community and reduces concealed cronyism between powerful government agencies and influential cliques.
Other improvements can also be suggested, such as a similar exposure of government-directed non-R01 projects; ceilings on government funding to any one scientist or laboratory; the elimination of politically influenced center grants and merit awards; and more democratic control of NIH itself, in order to promote a greater diversification of ideas supportable and challengeable by the scientific community. An institute's goal should be to keep as many talented scientists as possible doing original research. Any compromise on this goal is misdirected.
