STM has joined a coalition of nearly 120 organizations urging Congress to address concerns that federal agencies are proceeding with elements of proposed changes to federal grantmaking by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), despite Congress having temporarily blocked implementation of the proposed rule.
The coalition includes organizations representing research, education, healthcare, housing, local government, and community services. Its members are concerned that federal funding should remain stable, predictable, and protected from political influence. STM has previously raised concerns that the proposed OMB changes could weaken independent expert review and increase political influence in federal research funding decisions.
The coalition's letter identifies actions by several federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NASA, which it considers consistent with the direction of the OMB proposals. According to the coalition, these actions could circumvent Congress's decision to temporarily pause the government-wide reforms.
The letter urges Congress to strengthen oversight of federal agency actions and maintain safeguards against implementation of the proposed changes through future funding legislation.
Click here to read the original press release.
