NIH faces scrutiny over AI grant trends and scoring changes

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that researchers using artificial intelligence to draft grant applications are more likely to secure funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Analyzing over 125,000 applications from 2021 to 2025, researchers identified a surge in AI involvement between 2023 and 2025, noting concerns that this trend may prioritize standardized writing over novel scientific ideas.

Simultaneously, the NIH has proposed a significant overhaul of its grant evaluation process. The agency plans to move away from providing researchers with precise numerical scores from peer reviewers, instead categorizing proposals into three broad tiers: top, middle, and bottom. This shift aims to allow the agency to weigh peer reviews alongside broader health priorities and research portfolio needs. However, some scientists express concern that reducing scoring transparency could increase the potential for political interference in federal funding decisions.