OMB Proposes Political Control Over Federal Research Grants

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a new rule that would grant political appointees significant discretion over the awarding and termination of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants. Led by Director Russell Vought under the administration of Donald Trump, the initiative aims to align spending with agency priorities and eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration characterizes as woke funding based on radical political perspectives.

The proposed regulation would allow the government to restrict international research collaborations involving covered foreign countries and cancel grants with minimal explanation. The OMB intends for the final rule to take effect on October 1, 2026, after reviewing nearly 500,000 public comments. The Heritage Foundation praised the changes as providing necessary adult supervision for taxpayer dollars.

Opponents, including scientists, museums, and the attorneys general of 22 states, argue the policy replaces merit-based peer review with political coercion. Critics warn that restricting foreign partnerships could isolate U.S. researchers from landmark discoveries, particularly in high-energy physics. Senator Susan Collins has urged the OMB to withdraw portions of the rule to protect scientific research, while University of Chicago professor David Miller contends the rule dismantles the principle of funding the best ideas chosen by experts.