Story perspectives

OMB Proposal Lets Trump Appointees Direct Federal Grants

6/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

OMB issued a proposal letting political appointees steer grants toward President Donald Trump’s policy goals.
The rule would require discretionary awards to match those priorities and cancel misaligned grants.
The National Council of Nonprofits and higher-education groups warned the rule could politicize grants, weaken peer review, and make funding less predictable.
Published May 29, 2026, it seeks comments by July 13, 2026, targets an Oct. 1, 2026 start and could be blocked.

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Story summary

OMB issued a proposal letting political appointees steer grants toward President Donald Trump’s policy goals.
The rule would require discretionary awards to match those priorities and cancel misaligned grants.
The National Council of Nonprofits and higher-education groups warned the rule could politicize grants, weaken peer review, and make funding less predictable.
Published May 29, 2026, it seeks comments by July 13, 2026, targets an Oct. 1, 2026 start and could be blocked.