INFORMS Open Forum

Good evening INFORMS members,

Here are a few key updates to share with you from Washington this week.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance

As you may know, OMB has proposed a new rule that would significantly reshape federal grantmaking by increasing centralized oversight of award decisions, changing the role of peer review, expanding grounds for suspension or termination, and adding new restrictions on international collaboration. For INFORMS members and the broader research community, the urgency is that these changes could affect how federal research grants are reviewed, awarded, managed, and continued beginning in FY2027.

• AAAS Members can access a member-only summary of the proposed rule here.
  • Public comments on the proposed rule are due by July 13, 2026 and must be submitted via www.regulations.gov (docket OMB-2026-0034)
  • Read full proposed rule here.
• Additional information and resources about the proposed rule include:

The Scholarly Kitchen: The US Government's New Guidance for Federal Grants and The Case for Scholarly Societies

• • Council of Nonprofits: Chart of Proposed Changes to the OMB Uniform Guidance

 

White House

• White House Executive Order: Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security
• Related fact sheet– White House: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security

Congress

• House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology (Democrats) press release: Democratic lawmakers seek answers on reported NSF funding restrictions
• Read the full letter here.
• Related article– Nature: NSF puts new research grants to top universities on hold

 

Federal Agencies

• Department of Energy (DOE) press releases
• United States and Japan Announce Historic $1 Billion Partnership Under President Trump's Genesis Mission
• Related article– MeriTalk: DOE to Unveil First Genesis Mission Awards July 22, Chief of Staff Says
• Energy Department Releases Finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Power
• Related article– Nuclear Newswire: Tennessee fusion regulations take effect
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Dr. Raymond Jacobson selected as director of the NIH Center for Scientific Review

 

In The News 

• The Scientist: International Researchers React to NIH Scrutiny of Foreign Coauthorship
• Federal News Network: Federal science agencies facing a 'generational loss,' nonprofit says
• AIP FYI: White House Proposes Indirect Changes to Indirect Costs

As always, I will continue tracking these and other developments and sharing updates relevant to the INFORMS community.

Best regards,

Jeff Cohen

P.S. If you want to get more involved in or learn more about INFORMS advocacy and public relations efforts, please reach out to me at: jcohen@informs.org

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Jeffrey M. Cohen, MBA | PhD Candidate
Chief Strategy Officer
INFORMS
jcohen@informs.org
linkedin.com/in/jmcsc
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