Several higher education and research organizations are voicing concerns about a Trump administration plan to tighten oversight of federal research funding that could sideline traditional peer-review models.
A new rule proposed by the Office of Management and Budget would require federal agencies to designate political appointees to review new and existing research grants. Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, called the rule “a brazen power grab” that will stifle future scientific discoveries.
“If this rule becomes final, Americans’ hopes for future cures, national security and economic strength will rely on the scientific sensibilities of the nation’s chief bureaucrat,” Parikh said in a statement. “Alzheimer’s disease will not be cured by a budget analyst from either political party.”
The new “Uniform Guidance” regulation, which is open for public comment until July 13, could ensure discretionary awards follow Trump administration policies and executive orders, the American Council on Education contends.
This “historic” change would also prohibit the use of federal funds for diversity, equity and inclusion activities and gender-affirming care programs. But the proposal does not include an anticipated 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursements, which the higher education community had opposed, ACE noted.
American Association of Universities President Barbara R. Snyder warned in a letter to the Trump administration that the proposed revisions “would materially alter long-standing, foundational principles underpinning federally supported research.”
Federal agencies would gain authority to terminate active grants deemed to be “inconsistent with program goals or agency priorities.” Reviewers would no longer have to defer to the recommendations of peer review panels, Snyder added.
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