OMB Proposes 412-Page Grant Rule, Putting $1 Trillion in Federal Research Under Political Review
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jun 29
OMB Proposes 412-Page Grant Rule, Putting $1 Trillion in Federal Research Under Political Review
3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 29
Summary
More than $1 trillion in grants across 42 agencies would face political oversight under an OMB proposal that could let appointees review, veto or cancel awards if they do not match President Donald Trump’s priorities.
The 412-page draft would turn OMB grant guidance into binding regulation, critics say, making it harder to reverse and extending beyond science to programs in education, housing, veterans’ services, health and NASA.
Scientists say the rule could block conference travel without preapproval, restrict some foreign collaborations and stop grant money from covering open-access publishing, disrupting how research is conducted, shared and staffed.
The proposal arrives after earlier grant cancellations and enrollment pullbacks; researchers cited a June 8 JAMA letter showing federally supported scientists fell in 2025 for the first time since 2016.
July 13 is the public-comment deadline, with more than 38,000 comments already filed, while opponents also urge Congress to pass a joint resolution of disapproval before the rule is finalized.
How might new political veto power over research grants affect America's global leadership in science and technology?
What legal and congressional tools can challenge the sweeping new rules for federal grant funding before October?
When political priorities can terminate research 'for convenience', what is the future for developing long-term medical cures?
Sweeping Changes to Federal Grants: How the 2026 Uniform Grants Regulation Could Undermine U.S. Research and Innovation
Overview
On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), together with almost all federal grantmaking agencies, introduced a proposed rule to overhaul federal financial assistance. This rule would replace the current Uniform Guidance with a new Uniform Grants Regulation (UGR), creating a single standard for all federal assistance programs. The changes would significantly affect the core principles of federally supported research, impacting every stage from proposal review to final decisions. A key feature is the direct involvement of senior political appointees in both grantmaking and review, ensuring grants align with the Administration’s agenda and policy priorities.