OMB Proposal Would Require Political Appointees to Review All Federal Research Grants, Bypassing Peer Review
By
Elizabeth Ginexi
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Summary
The OMB has proposed a major rule change for federal financial assistance that would require senior political appointees, rather than career scientists or program officers, to conduct "pre-issuance review" of every discretionary grant before it is awarded. Political appointees would be explicitly forbidden from deferring to peer reviewers or routinely ratifying their recommendations. This represents a significant shift in how federal research grants are evaluated and awarded, potentially politicizing the scientific grant-making process.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledSenior political appointees, rather than career scientists or program officers, would now be required to conduct a 'pre-issuance review' of every discretionary grant before it is awarded.
These appointees are explicitly forbidden from deferring to peer reviewers or routinely ratifying their recommendations.
This is arguably the most consequential change in the rule.
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