Wenstrup Requests Denied Coronavirus Research Proposals Submitted to NIH, NIAID

WASHINGTON — Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) is investigating U.S. taxpayer funded gain-of-function and Coronavirus research advanced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The Select Subcommittee is requesting access to all denied Coronavirus-based research proposals submitted to the NIH and NIAID to evaluate any risky research that occurred prior to federal funding or in coordination with American public health authorities. As further questions about the origins of COVID-19 continue to arise, gaining a better understanding of the process related to funding of potentially dangerous research will help to shed-light on the non-transparent grant approval process and help America prepare for a future pandemic.

“According to extensive testimony, the Select Subcommittee is aware that scientific work on a project may be conducted prior to a funding proposal or decision.  Therefore, it is vital for the Select Subcommittee to have a more thorough understanding of the work or potential work that has been conducted on Coronaviruses, even if it was not awarded federal funding via NIH,” wrote Chairman Wenstrup. “Approximately 20 percent of applications submitted were granted in fiscal year 2021.  As such, since scientific work on a project may have commenced prior to a decision on a grant award, the Select Subcommittee is interested in the work of the numerous projects that NIH denied.”

On July 13, the Select Subcommittee revealed new emails proving Dr. Fauci and other notable scientists were aware of dangerous gain-of-function research occurring in Wuhan, China prior to the emergence of COVID-19. Just a few days later, NIH suspended and proposed the debarment of the Wuhan Institute of Virology after years of bio-safety concerns. Taxpayer funded, gain-of-function research — especially on contagious and deadly Coronaviruses — deserves deliberate oversight and immediate investigation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Select Subcommittee is committed to thoroughly investigating the origins of COVID-19 and uncovering any information that will lead to improved policies and federal decision making in the future.

Read Chairman Wenstrup’s letter to NIH Director Lawrence Tabak here.

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