Today, the Administration released the U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 14292 on “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research.”

This new government-wide policy defines areas of life sciences research that pose the greatest risk to our nation’s security, implements federal funding prohibitions, and establishes a framework for addressing risk and ensuring compliance. In addition to banning federal support for dangerous gain-of-function research, the policy introduces enhanced review and reporting requirements for all life sciences research, including independent, top-down assessments for projects that may increase the harmful consequences of biological agents, and introduces new restrictions for research conducted outside of the United States.

As NIH implements this policy for the science it supports, we will work closely with the research community to reinforce the shared responsibility of every scientist to thoughtfully evaluate the potential benefits and risks of every experiment and ensure that biomedical research advances safely, responsibly, and in service of the American people.

For more information on NIH’s implementation of the Policy, please see a statement issued today by NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, as well as a notice NIH has published in its Guide to Grants and Contracts.