The National Institutes of Health will examine whether health officials violated federal policy against soliciting donations when they met with alcohol companies to discuss funding a study of the benefits of moderate drinking, Dr. Francis Collins, the institutes’ director, said on Tuesday.

Dr. Collins also will ask outside experts who are part of a standing advisory committee to review the design and scientific methodology of the 10-year government trial, which is already underway, an N.I.H. spokeswoman said.

The announcement comes three days after The New York Times reported that scientists and officials with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the N.I.H., met with industry groups on several occasions in 2013 and 2014.

Scientists suggested the proposed study might reflect favorably on moderate drinking, while institute officials pressed for funding, according to documents obtained by The Times.