New executive order puts all grants under political control
16 days ago
- #executive order
- #science funding
- #political control
- Trump administration issues executive order asserting political control over federal grant funding, including research.
- Funding opportunities and individual grants must be reviewed and approved by political appointees aligned with the President’s priorities.
- Agencies can cancel previously awarded grants if deemed to no longer align with agency priorities.
- New funding programs are halted until systems enforcing the order are in place.
- Criticism includes accusations of wasteful spending, diversity efforts in science, and unreplicable studies.
- The order centralizes grant-making decisions under non-expert political appointees, potentially undermining scientific independence.
- OMB head Russell Vought has actively sought to reduce science funding, including NIH grants.