In my desk-to-desk last summer I told you we were embarking on a review of peer review at NIH. It was a study based on internal and external response to our call for ideas. We started from the premise that our intention is "to fund the best science, by the best scientists, with the least amount of administrative burden." I am grateful to Dr. Tabak and Dr. Berg who co-chaired this stellar effort and to the literally thousands of you who participated in person or by comment.
There had been a pervasive sense that peer review service has become more of a chore than a stimulating and privileged experience. Reclaiming that excitement and pride, as well as removing needless burden, will stimulate new innovation and transformative research. Those goals drove the impetus to improve parts of the system.
As we contemplated possible changes, we were guided by two fundamental principles. First, while improving the system, do no harm. That is, ensure that any changes to the peer review system bring significant value and reflect a favorable balance between costs and benefits. Second, continue to maximize the freedom of scientists to explore.
The Implementation Plan Report http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov consists of four main priorities.
Collaborative teams of internal and external participants have worked meticulously to tackle all the challenges of the system and discover solutions. The product is well-thought out, and is a comprehensive framework to begin implementation.
We are headed into the future with a nimbler, more responsive system that should serve science well and with a plan to continuously re-evaluate our process.
Again, NIH is grateful for all of your comments, discussions, and participation and look forward to the results of this work.
We are also pleased that the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) became a reality on May 21, 2008, while Francis was still here. This was an effort, debated in Congress for 13 years, that will benefit us all as it protects Americans against discrimination based on our genetic information when it comes to health insurance and employment. Francis was instrumental in providing technical expertise in the final success of this greatly-needed legislation.
Again, thank you for your comments now all available on the public access Web site (http://publicaccess.nih.gov) We are combining these results from the RFI with feedback received from our March 20, 2008 Open Meeting (on line at the same site).We will be posting this analysis and the results by September 30, 2008. We are proud of this effort to bring research results to the scientific community and the public as rapidly as possible and without restrictions of cost.
I will be sharing progress on the NIH Public-Private Partnerships Program (PPP). Initiated in 2005, PPP was an outgrowth of the NIH Roadmap. PPP is the NIH's central resource on these collaborations providing guidance and advice to NIH and potential partners on the formation of partnerships that leverage NIH and non-NIH resources.
I invite you to share any comments you have with me, directly, at zerhounidirect@nih.gov.
Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director National Institutes of Health
For information about NIH programs, useful health information, and additional resources, see the NIH web site at www.nih.gov. An archive of the Director's Newsletter is available at http://www.nih.gov/about/director/newsletter/archive.htm.