A coalition of over 40 US lawmakers has called on the Trump administration to retract a proposed federal grant regulation. They argue that the regulation could introduce politics into scientific funding decisions, potentially hindering American innovation and competitiveness against countries like China. Led by Senator Adam Schiff, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, and Salud Carbajal from California, the lawmakers expressed concerns that the proposed rule would grant political appointees more control over the grant review process, risking politically motivated decision-making.
The lawmakers emphasized that the regulation, titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” would have far-reaching implications across various federal agencies involved in grant reviews. They highlighted that the proposed change could compromise the independence of federal research funding, which has historically been based on merit and independent scientific review for over 75 years. California, being a major recipient of federal research funding and home to leading universities and tech firms, would be significantly impacted by the proposed regulation.
Stressing the importance of maintaining independent federal funding for scientific research, the lawmakers urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to uphold the integrity and objectivity of grantmaking processes. They warned that replacing peer review with political oversight could impede scientific progress in critical sectors such as medicine, national security, and technology. Additionally, the lawmakers cautioned that the proposed rule might weaken the US’ global competitiveness by hindering the STEM talent pipeline and deterring international talent from universities, researchers, and businesses.
The letter also raised concerns about the potential repercussions on biomedical research if grants were terminated based on broad “national interest” grounds. The lawmakers highlighted the risk of delays in research related to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease, as well as disruptions to long-term clinical trials. They further warned that the proposed regulation could lead to restrictions on publication costs and research topics for universities, potentially impacting the country’s progress in health, innovation, and scientific development.
