NIH should establish a central Peer Review Oversight Group to develop, coordinate, and monitor the NIH Merit Review processes and policies for all extramural funding. NIH should continue its program of 'at large' IRG members that brings experienced senior scientists back into the review process, exploiting their broad scientific perspective and expertise, and giving better balance to panels with respect to age and accomplishment. At the same time, there has been a corresponding decline the success rates of unsolicited investigator-initiated research grant applications. This nation's investment in NIH-sponsored basic and applied biomedical research has encouraged talented young men and women throughout this country to undertake careers in biomedical research. Their efforts have paid truly impressive dividends in every sector of American life.
Continued investment is needed if today's scientists are to train the scientists of tomorrow.
To assure continued leadership in this field, however, we require continued federal investment in fundamental research. As this Subcommittee has so clearly and commendably recognized, increased investment in the NIH is both justified and prudent. Investment at this level will allow biomedical scientists to build on their enviable record of achievement for the benefit of all Americans and will provide continued opportunity for the best and brightest young men and women to enter this rapidly expanding field. Mr. Chairman, that completes my statement. Testimony of Harold Varmus, MD, Director of the National Institutes of Health, before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education on April 18, 1996.