Write to Your Lawmakers About the Proposed OMB Grants Rule

On July 13, the public comment period closed on the Office of Management and Budget's proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance (Docket OMB-2026-0034). The response from the scientific community was substantial, and AIBS thanks everyone who submitted comments, shared analysis, or urged colleagues to act.

That was an important step. It was not the last one.

Almost half a million comments were filed, and those that have been publicly posted are overwhelmingly opposed. But OMB is under no obligation to change course, and it intends the final rule to take effect by October 1, 2026 -- which means the window to influence the outcome is measured in weeks, not months -- and most congressional offices have heard very little from their constituents about this rule.

This represents a major overhaul of the rules governing every federal grant. It would let senior political appointees override independent peer reviewers, allow agencies to terminate active awards when priorities shift, and restrict the conferences, memberships, and publications through which research reaches the public. OMB concedes it could not quantify what any of this would cost.

Congress authorized these programs and appropriates the funds; this rule shifts control over how that money is spent toward the executive branch and away from the merit-based review Congress has long supported. A call from a member of Congress to the White House carries weight -- but it will not happen unless constituents ask.

Use our editable template letter to send a message to your Representative and both Senators.

Please personalize the letter. Describe how the rule would affect your work. A specific, local example from your lab, museum, field station, or department is worth more than any general argument we can supply and identical form letters are often counted only once. Be specific and local: the project you would have to stop or would not propose, the students or staff whose positions depend on the award, the collection or field site in the district, the collaboration you would have to end, or what the added reporting would cost your office in staff time.