Better Communication Could Help Clear Up Confusion Over 'Silly' Research Grants

A Congressional Subcommittee asked GAO to obtain information on social science research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to find out whether NSF is awarding "silly grants" and whether the grants are duplicating other research funded by NSF or other agencies. NSF relies heavily on its peer review system as the main procedure which is intended to ensure that quality social science research is funded and that duplication does not occur, although NSF has other procedures as well. External oversight advisory committees of scientists periodically review the social science programs.

The problem in the NSF grant award process appears to be inadequate explanations in, and/or improper use of, the documents NSF prepares for explaining to the Congress and the public why individual social science projects are supported and what benefits will be, or were received, as a result of supporting these projects. Also, some confusion apparently exists among NSF officials regarding the intended use of the documents that are supposed to explain why the projects are funded. The inadequate explanations in, and improper use of, the documents appear to cause the criticisms of some projects. It was also found that while individual social science grants are sometimes criticized as "silly" based on their titles alone, NSF officials believe such criticisms might continue because it is difficult to identify those grants that will sound "silly" to anyone who might read only the grant title.

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