FASEB Responds to RFI on Implementing CHIPS and Science Act

By: Yvette Seger
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
In August, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain community feedback on strategies to address Section 10343, Research Ethics, of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and mitigate potential ethical, social, safety, and security concerns associated with research. The RFI also sought input on how NSF could integrate these considerations into the agency’s merit review process.

In its comments—which addressed three of the seven RFI questions—FASEB highlighted existing strategies employed by the National Institutes of Health to address ethical, social, safety, and security considerations in research design and responsible conduct of research training. Recognizing that members of merit review panels are selected for their familiarity with a scientific field and may not have the appropriate expertise to assess ethical, social, safety, and security concerns, FASEB encouraged NSF to establish a uniform process for evaluating these considerations outside the merit review process.

Responses to this RFI will help inform NSF’s implementation of Section 10343 of the CHIPS and Science Act. Comments must be received by December 13.