Scientists are supposed to follow the scientific method, observing natural phenomena, collecting data, forming a hypothesis ... until the most learned, respected individual ‘scientist’ who controls the largest grants declares consensus and forces every one else to knuckle under or be driven out of the profession and into ruin.
That is the Scientific method as it has been practiced for centuries and only overcome when the most learned, respected individual ‘scientist’ passes away, allowing a brief breath of new thinking to enter before sealing its self over again until the next cycle.
Rather than the ‘scientific method, now it’s called “peer review”, when scientists coalesce into a circular gaggle, nodding in agreement and ejecting from the gaggle any dissention/outliers, delivering righteous lambaste & professional persecution for their offense of ‘adherence to science’. This was established under the ‘climate change’ hoax and this cudgel has become the new modus operandi in the ‘business’ of science, including the funding of research (grants, as you cite).
“Peer review” has become, IMHO, a euphemism with specific definition quite different than intended. “Bully pulpit” is now synonymous.
As I have commented recently, they have done to science what Comey et al did to FBI/DOJ...
...and the lack of reaction to their crimes against their profession bodes badly for the past year’s crimes against science & the American people.