OMB Proposes Sweeping Changes to Federal Grant Guidance and Scientific Funding
The latest in this situation
- Project 2025 implementation begins at OMB; Democrats respond with their own equivalent initiative.
- Trump is considering a nomination for a deputy role in the OMB.
- The author of Project 2025 has been appointed to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- The Association of Research Libraries responded to proposed revisions to Uniform Guidance.
How it started
What happened
The Office of Management and Budget is proposing sweeping changes to its guidance on how government agencies assess, select, and oversee federal grants and cooperative agreements. These proposed rules are being driven by Russell Vought, who is the director of the Office of Management and Budget and a key architect of Project 2025. The changes aim to reduce waste and increase transparency within scientific research.
From forbes.com
Why it matters
The proposed rule could inflict lasting harm on scientific progress, global competitiveness, and the economy. Russell Vought, who is a noted advocate of the Unitary Executive theory, is implementing policies derived from Project 2025, a policy blueprint guiding Donald Trump’s administration.
From forbes.com, vox.com
Who's involved
- Office of Management and BudgetThe agency proposing the rule changes to federal grant guidance.
- Russell VoughtThe director of the Office of Management and Budget and architect of Project 2025.
- Project 2025The policy blueprint that serves as the foundational agenda for the administration.
- Donald TrumpThe President whose administration is guided by Project 2025.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Indiana University BloomingtonSpeculative
Indiana University Bloomington might see university research funding access threatened if grants shift away from merit-based review.
- Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSpeculative
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may experience changes in research funding and administrative scope.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Head Start could face attack amid ideological shift in administrationHead Start could face elimination or attack due to ideological shifts in the administrationLikely
- New OMB rules could shift NIH funding control to political appointeesNIH's scientific independence could be compromised by new OMB grant regulationsLikely
- Smithsonian Institution may face leadership overhauls from ideological proposalsThe Smithsonian Institution could face leadership overhauls and attacks from ideological proposals.Possible
- OSHA's functions may be reduced by new OMB regulationsOSHA's functions may be reduced as OMB shifts agency control to political appointeesPossible
- Senate may need to intervene as OMB challenges congressional spending powerSenate may need to intervene as OMB challenges congressional spending powerPossible
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.Project 2025 implementation begins at OMB; Democrats respond with their own equivalent initiative.1 source
- A director is leading the policy proposal architecture involving Project 2025 and the Office of Management and Budget.Sub-event
- OMB rules, architected by Vought under Project 2025, are politicizing federal grant funding and threatening scientific research.Sub-event
- The Office of Management and Budget proposed new rules aimed at reducing waste and increasing transparency within scientific research.Sub-event
- Vought enforced new OMB rules regarding research funding on July 5, 2026.Sub-event
Vought's authorship of Project 2025 sections and his influence on OMB policy affecting Congress.1 source
- Russell Vought directs the operations of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).Sub-event
- The Office of Management and Budget proposed rule changes regarding research grants, citing a shared history of scientific failures.Sub-event
Show 1 earlier step
Project 2025 ideas gaining traction in the administration, involving OMB proposals and executive power theories.1 source
Keep exploring
The entities involved
-
Project 2025
Heritage Foundation policy plans for 2025 presidential administration
Nothing else this week.
-
Russell Vought
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Nothing else this week.
-
Office of Management and Budget
agency that prepares and evaluates the President of the United States' annual budget to Congress