Full Breakdown
OMB Proposal Shifts Federal Grants from Merit to Political Alignment
7/10/2026, 9:34:54 PM
Proposed Rule Overhauls Grant Awards
On May 29, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a draft regulation that would convert existing grant-guidance into binding rules. The rule requires that all federal research, education, and infrastructure awards “demonstrably advance the President’s policy priorities.” It grants political appointees authority to override agency merit reviews, to suspend or cancel grants at any time, and to restrict collaborations with foreign scientists. The 45-day public comment period closes on July 13.
Official Rationale
The OMB argues the changes will boost “transparency, accountability, and oversight for Federal awards” and prevent “American tax dollars … wasted or misused.” In a congressional letter, Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Zoe Lofgren urged the administration to rescind the proposal, warning that it could harm scientific innovation, U.S. competitiveness, and the fiscal stability of local governments that depend on federal funding.
Criticism and Opposition
Scientists and professional societies contend the rule would eliminate scientific merit from funding decisions. The Planetary Society warned it would “all but end the use of scientific merit in the selection of grants and programs across the government.” Researchers fear the vague prohibition on “theories of disparate-impact liability” will chill studies of disease or policy effects on specific groups. The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s government-relations chief warned that limiting international collaboration would undermine a “global enterprise” essential to biomedical and public-health progress. Over 100,000 comments—nearly 100,000 by midday Thursday—have been logged, reflecting broad concern from cancer researchers, civil engineers, medical schools, housing agencies, city governments, and numerous nonprofits.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This touches all parts of American life,” — Dr. Eric Rafla-Yuan, Psychiatrist, Veterans Administration
- “The issue is whether scientific research is to be judged by scientific merit, or whether it can be approved, denied, or terminated according to broad political criteria that may change from one administration to the next.” — Jack Feldman, Neuroscientist, UCLA
- “The proposed rule changes would all but end the use of scientific merit in the selection of grants and programs across the government,” — Planetary Society (statement)
- “Science is a global enterprise. Especially in biomedical and public health fields, diseases don’t care about borders or government policies,” — Joanne Padrón Carney, Chief Government Relations Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science
