Federal Appointees Would Have Final Say in Federal Research Grant Process Under Trump Proposal

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has posted in the Federal Register a proposed rule entitled "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance." This 400+ page policy, which applies to every federal department and agency, is a sweeping departure from decades of best practices for federal agencies to award meritorious grant applications, including for public health, health care, and research.

Among other things, the proposed rule calls for review by political appointees, allows for grant cancellations for any reason, prohibits funds from being used for publishing and conference attendance, allows for exemption from public posting of grant opportunities, and bans funding for research into topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion and "gender ideology."