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Comer Probes Loophole in EPA's Federal Grant Process Potentially Hiding Foreign Influence

Press Release

Date: May 4, 2023
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment Legislative Branch

"The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the EPA's administration of research grants and post-award disclosures of foreign support and influence. Grant applicants are required to disclose current and pending research support--including by foreign sources possibly seeking to improperly influence researchers or gain access to scientific discoveries--during the application process. EPA, however, does not require disclosure of foreign support received after a grant has been awarded. This practice is not consistent with other government agencies administering federal research funds, and raises questions of whether foreign contributions are being used after an initial award to influence or obtain access to EPA's federally funded research.

EPA must evaluate its application process and explore requiring additional disclosures during the post-award stage to avoid financial and nonfinancial conflicts, especially those involving foreign sources of research support."


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