Nearly 90,000 Comments Flood OMB As Researchers Fight Plan To Politicize Federal Grants

The White House Office of Management and Budget is facing an unprecedented wave of opposition to a proposed rule that would give political appointees primary control over federal grant making, including research funding from agencies like the Education Department. According to Inside Higher Ed, the rule has drawn 90,000 public comments, with scientific and higher education groups warning that politicizing grant decisions could fundamentally alter how research is conducted and funded in the United States.

"politicizing grant decisions could undermine research integrity and societal benefits."

That opposition comes as the American Physical Society reported that the proposal, released in May 2026, would allow political appointees to override peer review and terminate active grants after they have been awarded. The scale of the public response, with tens of thousands of comments from scientists and researchers, reflects deep concern across the scientific community.

"allow political appointees to override peer review and terminate active grants"

Beyond peer review, the rule would also impose sweeping restrictions on international collaborations and make conference attendance more difficult, according to the American Physical Society. Critics argue these changes would isolate U.S. researchers from global scientific progress and undermine the country's competitive edge in innovation and discovery.

The massive comment period, which drew nearly six figures in public feedback according to Inside Higher Ed, signals that the proposal faces an uphill battle even before any final decision. With the comment period now closed, OMB must review the overwhelming opposition before deciding whether to move forward with the rule or revise it.