Comments Flood OMB Proposal

July 9, 2026

Comments Flood OMB Proposal to Cement Political Control of Grants

Among other changes, the proposal from the Office of Management and Budget says political appointees, not peer reviewers, would be the primary deciders of who gets grants, and says officials could yank funding even after it’s awarded and research or another project has begun. Opponents in and outside higher ed say the politicization could undercut research and all the societal benefits that flow from it, and the possibility of more midgrant cancellations could inject further instability into a sector the Trump administration has already destabilized.

Through social media, video calls, Substacks and petitions, scientists, universities and groups representing them have called for a flood of public comments. They’ve shared resources listing objectionable provisions they’ve identified in the more than 400-page proposal. They’ve provided online guides to the public on how to write comments pushing back on specific changes that would affect them.