WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule on May 29, 2026, that would give political appointees greater authority over federal research grants and prohibit funding for studies related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender. The rule, published in the Federal Register, also establishes a broad prohibition on international scientific collaborations and requires political appointees—not necessarily scientists—to review grants before awards are issued. An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson said the change would “improve the ability of agencies to identify and respond to waste, fraud, and abuse.” The OMB is led by Director Russell Vought.

Cole Donovan, a policy analyst with Stand up for Science, said: “This would be the end of American science as we know it. We're gonna make sure that it doesn't fade quietly into the night.” He added that while peer review panels have historically been advisory, funding decisions were typically made in conjunction with non-political career experts at agencies. Donovan also emphasized the importance of global cooperation, stating: “We are involved in a huge amount of international collaboration. Much of the work that's considered high-impact is based on international collaboration.” He anticipates the rule will “almost certainly” face legal challenges if finalized.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America issued a statement warning the proposed rule “would replace scientific merit with McCarthy era politics.” The U.S. scientific community has relied on peer review to evaluate research proposals since the post-World War II period, and federal science agencies typically adopt recommendations from independent advisory committees on matters such as vaccine schedules and environmental standards. The rule is open for public comment until July 13, 2026.