Trump tries to curtail the freedom of science – here is what you can do about it

The Trump administration is trying to introduce new rules that would put political appointees, rather than career scientists and civil servants, in the decisive role on federal research grants. The proposal would make senior appointees review grants for compliance with law and the Trump’s priorities, and it would make it easier to terminate grants already awarded.

The proposal was published by the White House budget office in late May 2026 and is part of a broader effort to tighten political control over federal spending rules. The administration plans to implement the proposal on 1 October. The comment period is open through 13 July*.

Under the draft rules, political appointees would have oversight over grants and could decide whether funding aligns with Trump’s wishes. The new rules would let appointees terminate grants after they have already been awarded. Scientists therefore warn that ongoing projects could be put at risk. Peer review would be weakened and expert views treated as advisory rather than decisive.

This would decisively move funding decisions away from scientific merit and toward political criteria which would chill work on politically sensitive topics and give non-experts the power to shape what gets investigated.

Crucially, this is not a one-off move: Trump has already signed an executive order in August 2025 directing agencies to give appointees oversight of grants so they would advance his priorities. The new proposal this is the regulatory mechanism that would turn that earlier order into a permanent system.

In practical terms, this legislation is a major shift from expert-led grant to politically supervised grant making. It constitutes a direct threat to scientific independence.

*You can submit your public comment on the OMB proposed rule at:

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OMB-2026-0034

Steps:

• • • Go to that link and click the “Open for Comments” button (or directly click “Comment” on the docket page).
    • Scroll to the bottom and click “Comment.”
    • Start your comment by including the relevant section number in brackets, for example [200.461], so OMB can route it properly.
    • Write in your own words, focusing on specific impacts on your work or institution.
    • Avoid including private details like your home address or phone number, since comments are posted publicly.