The NIH, given its role in funding scientific research at medical schools, academic hospitals and universities across the nation, should be well-positioned to provide answers regarding the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. However, the authors argue it seemed a “doddering, tired institution” throughout the pandemic, with only a small number of studies on treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients being generated by the NIH.
Its slow grant-funding mechanisms also hold back innovative research, say the authors, with only nine of 240 registered research programs on long-COVID being funded by the NIH. They also argue that its peer-review system means that innovative research proposals, such as that of mRNA proteins used to create COVID-19 vaccines, are shot down more frequently than traditional studies.
The authors say the NIH should embrace diversity of scientists and mindsets and look to three key traits that advance the field; “creativity, persistence and courage.”
