OMB grant proposal draws warnings from science advocates
A proposed rewrite of federal assistance rules could put more than $1 trillion in grants under political review, The Verge reported.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
The Office of Management and Budget is weighing a broad rewrite of federal financial assistance rules that critics say could give political appointees sweeping power over research funding. The proposal matters because federal grants support much of the scientific work done at U.S. universities, according to The Verge.
OMB issued the 412-page proposal on May 29 in the Federal Register, describing it as a revision to rules for federal financial assistance. The proposal remains open for public comment until July 13, according to the Federal Register notice cited by The Verge.
The Verge reported that the change would apply political oversight to more than $1 trillion in federal grants across 42 agencies. Those grants fund research and researchers at universities nationwide, including work on new vaccines and natural hazards, according to The Verge.
Under the proposal, political appointees could review and reject grants at any point and for any reason, The Verge reported. The outlet characterized the language as mixing technical regulatory wording with Trump-aligned attacks on policies labeled “woke.”
Science advocates warned that the rule could disrupt the U.S. research system. Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science, told The Verge that if the proposal takes effect, science in the United States “will stop” and “won’t exist anymore.”
The Verge reported that the proposal could affect the livelihoods of thousands of scientists. It also said the consequences would extend beyond researchers because federally funded science underpins work tied to public health, safety and local risks.
There are still procedural routes for opponents to try to block or alter the change. OMB must review and respond to substantive public comments, according to The Verge, and a congressional objection could also prevent the rule from moving ahead.
The Federal Register comment page linked by The Verge is the formal channel for public feedback on the proposal. The deadline gives universities, scientists, advocacy groups and members of the public a limited window to challenge the rule before OMB decides whether to finalize it.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.