OMB’s proposed rule, published May 29th as “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” could significantly alter federal grantmaking by expanding political review of awards, increasing agencies’ authority to terminate grants, and limiting support for activities such as scientific collaboration, conferences, and publication of research findings. ASCE was one of the 495,796 organizations and individuals that provided comments to OMB by the July 13th deadline raising concerns over the proposal’s sweeping ramifications on federal grants.

ASCE believes that independent, merit-based research and peer review are essential to civil engineering’s mission of protecting public health, safety, and welfare. OMB’s proposal could affect not only universities and scientific organizations, but also the engineers and communities that rely on federally supported research to strengthen infrastructure resilience, improve design standards, and advance public safety.

Contact your Representative and Senators today and ask for oversight on this transformative and potentially disruptive proposed rule!

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