What we really need to find a way to support long-term, high risk projects driven by young scientists with breakthrough ideas. At the moment all scientists have to live from grant to grant which makes it near impossible to go after the really risky projects. If you try a difficult project and fail then you are out of a job.
We also, because of the wonderful system of peer review, pretty much only give grants to old established researchers with long track records. These scientists are great at running mini-empires, but not so good at coming up with the really novel ideas that we so need.
We also, because of the wonderful system of peer review, pretty much only give grants to old established researchers with long track records. These scientists are great at running mini-empires, but not so good at coming up with the really novel ideas that we so need.