OMB’s Proposed Federal Grant Rule

In late May, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed a rule that would significantly change how federal grants and cooperative agreements are awarded, managed, and terminated across the federal government.

The proposed rule would weaken the role of expert scientific review in funding decisions, elevate political review, expand agencies’ authority to suspend or terminate awards, have a chilling effect on health disparities research, disincentivize research collaborations and scientific exchange, and impose new requirements that slow, add costs to, and reduce the volume of research conducted in the U.S.

Taken together, these changes would move the federal research funding system away from scientific merit, collaboration, and stability. The result would be slower scientific and medical progress, delaying the discoveries, treatments, cures, and public health advances that Americans depend on.

We encourage individuals and organizations to submit public comments about this rule using the resources below. Comments are due July 13.

Is your organization taking action in response to this proposed rule? Tell us about your efforts here.

Resources 

Do you have questions about the proposed rule? For more information, check out our collection of resources: 

From Research!America

Guide to Commenting on the OMB Proposed Rule “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance”

Research!America: Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Proposed Federal Grant Rule: Key Changes and Potential Consequences

Frequently Asked Questions about Submitting Comments on the OMB Proposed Rule

Video Recording: Alliance Discussion: Responding to OMB’s Proposed Rule

Slide Deck: How to Develop and Submit Comments

Government Resources

Regulations.gov: Guidance on Submitting Comments

Congress.gov Summary

Letter signed by 47 Democratic Senators in Opposition to Rule

Letter sent by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), on Needed Revisions to Rule

Letter sent by House Democrats in Opposition to Rule

Other Resources

 

National Council of Nonprofits: Proposed Changes to the OMB Uniform Guidance

National Council of Nonprofits: Comment Guide

COGR, AAU, APLU: OMB Proposed Rule on Uniform Guidance: Immediate Considerations for Research Institutions

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Comment Guidance

American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Action Alert

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): Action Alert

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Comment Guidance

Association of American Medical Colleges Comment Guidance

American Mathematical Society Action Alert

American Psychological Association Comment Guidance

American Society of Cell & Gene Therapy: Proposed Changes to Federal Grant Rules – Significant Implications for CGT Research

United States Association for the Study of Pain: Public Comment Opportunity: Proposed OMB Changes to Federal Research Grant Regulations

American Geophysical Union: Public Comment Toolkit

APLU Congressional Letter Tracker

Society for Neuroscience: Send Comments on the OMB Proposed Rule on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance

APS, AIBS, and partners: Comment on Office of Management and Budget Proposed Rule for Federal Financial Assistance

FASEB: Defend Science Research: Submit a Comment on the OMB Proposed Rule

NAVREF: Veterans Research At Risk

National Postdoctoral Association Comment Guidance

Clean Energy Business Network Sign-on Letter

 

Filed Comments, News Releases

Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Statement on OMB Rule

Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Submitted Comment

AcademyHealth Submitted Comments

Population Association of America Submitted Comments

FASEB Submitted Comments