Identify the most effective research funding distribution system

Ascertain which research funding distribution mechanism—such as peer review–based competitive grants, modified lotteries, universal base funding, peer-to-peer redistribution mechanisms, or democratic voting—performs best across epistemic, economic, social, and ethical outcomes.

Background

Multiple alternative funding systems have been proposed and piloted, including modified lotteries, base funding, peer allocation approaches, and democratic voting. Each aims to reduce costs or biases and improve outcomes, but comparative evidence is limited.

A comprehensive evaluation is needed to identify the system that delivers the best overall performance for science and society.