New 'Risky Research Review Act' Creates Board to Scrutinize Life Sciences Funding, Starting 2026

The "Risky Research Review Act" (H.R. [Number]) is setting up a new gatekeeper for taxpayer money going to potentially dangerous life sciences research. This bill, officially amending Title 31 of the U.S. Code, establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board – a nine-member panel with the power to approve or deny federal funding for research deemed "high-risk." Think anything involving souped-up pathogens or select agents and toxins. The whole point? To make sure Uncle Sam isn't accidentally funding the next pandemic.

Research Under the Microscope

This bill really digs into the details. It defines everything from "agency" to "gain of function research," and "high-consequence pathogen." The Board itself will be made up of scientists, national security experts, and a biosafety guru, all appointed by the President (with some input from Congress). These folks will serve up to two 4-year terms, and they must have squeaky-clean records – no conflicts of interest, full security clearances, and disclosure of any personal involvement in high-risk research (Section 7901(b)(6)(C)).

Here's how it will work: If a research project gets flagged as "high-risk," the funding agency has to send it to the Board for review (Section 7905). The Board then has 120 days to decide if the project gets the green light, gets modified with extra safety measures, or gets shut down completely (Section 7906(a)). They'll be looking at things like public health threats, potential benefits (and risks) to plants and animals, and any national security concerns. They even have to consider if the research is happening in a foreign country (Section 7906(d)).

Real-World Rollout: What to Expect

So, what does this mean for, say, a virologist studying bat coronaviruses? If their research involves manipulating those viruses in a way that could make them more dangerous, they'll need Board approval before getting any federal grants. This could mean delays, extra paperwork, and possibly even having to change their research plans to meet the Board's standards.

For a small biotech company working on a new vaccine platform, this law could add another layer of bureaucracy. They'll need to prove their research isn't high-risk, or go through the Board's review process. This could impact timelines and budgets, especially for startups.

Even a university lab studying a common soil bacterium could get caught up in this. If that bacterium is later added to the list of "select agents or toxins," the lab might have to pause its work and notify the funding agency within 24 hours (Section 7905(f)).

The Board is authorized to receive $30,000,000 each year from 2026 to 2035. (Section 7909).

Red Tape and Roadblocks?

While the goal is to prevent dangerous research, there are some practical challenges. First, defining "high-risk" is tricky. What seems risky today might be essential for developing life-saving treatments tomorrow. Second, the review process could slow down research, especially for time-sensitive projects. The bill does include an expedited review for emergencies (Section 7906(f)), but it's still an extra step. Finally, there's the question of who sits on the Board. Their expertise (and potential biases) will heavily influence which projects get funded and which don't.

This law also connects to existing regulations. For example, researchers already have to comply with rules about handling select agents and toxins. This new Board adds another layer of oversight, potentially creating more hoops to jump through.

The bottom line? The "Risky Research Review Act" is a major shake-up for life sciences research. It's aiming for safety, but it could also create some serious hurdles for scientists and institutions across the country.