WH proposes rules giving political appointees final approval on research grants

The White House has proposed new Office of Management and Budget regulations that would grant political appointees final approval authority over federal research grants, replacing the traditional merit-based peer review process with political oversight of funding decisions. The 412-page proposal would require senior political appointees at scientific agencies to review grants for compliance with presidential priorities, a shift that critics argue replaces scientific expertise with political loyalty tests and could undermine the independence of U.S. research institutions. The regulations would also restrict international research collaboration and allow grants to be terminated based on agency discretion rather than scientific merit.