The Cognitive Neuroscience Society is adding its voice questioning the new policy that NIH has adopted that fails to distinguish between basic research and clinical trials. As a result of this policy, a wide array of basic research studies will be required to register as clinical trials starting in January 2018.
CNS endorses the goals of fostering openness, transparency, and replicability, but we disagree that the new policy will achieve these goals. Instead, the policy will impede basic psychological and cognitive neuroscience research, confuse the public about clinical research, and impose complex additional administrative and regulatory requirements on researchers and their institutions.
Please consider signing the Open Letter to NIH Director Collins.
This letter outlines the substantial costs of this policy to researchers and institutions, and encourages NIH to defer implementation until more voices are heard.
Comments on this policy are posted here, Extramural NEXUS Open Mike. Please add your comments and share this information with your colleagues.
On behalf of the Governing Board,