Protect Science-Driven Medical Research

I urge OMB to preserve the long-standing merit-based, expert peer review process that has made the United States the global leader in scientific research. Federal research funding should be awarded and managed based on scientific excellence, technical merit, and public benefit—not political or ideological considerations. Provisions that allow grants to be terminated based on vague “national interest” determinations, require scrutiny of researchers’ social or political affiliations, restrict scientific collaboration, or limit the dissemination of research findings risk undermining innovation, discouraging talented researchers from pursuing federally funded work, and weakening America’s scientific competitiveness. Any revisions to the Uniform Guidance should strengthen transparency, accountability, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars while preserving the independence and predictability that researchers, institutions, and patients depend upon. I encourage OMB to revise or remove these provisions and maintain a science-driven framework for federal research funding.