INFORMS Open Forum

Good morning INFORMS members –

I have several important updates to share with you from Washington this week.

OMB's proposed rule

Tens of thousands of comments (including comments from INFORMS) were submitted to the OMB about its proposed 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. You can read INFORMS' comments here.

Now, with the comment period closed, organizations and individuals alike are encouraged to contact your member of Congress and U.S. Senators about the proposed rule and its potential impact to your research, your institution, and your community.

The INFORMS Advocacy Toolkit has tips for how to communicate with your elected officials. If you don't know how to contact your member of Congress or Senator, you can look up their information here.   

Did you submit a comment to OMB? If so, please take a moment to share with me via email at jcohen@informs.org. And, if you contact your member of Congress or Senator we'd like to know that too. This helps us tell the broader story of our community to federal policy makers.

Congress

• Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) press release: Rep. Gillen Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging OMB Director Vought to Reconsider Rule
• Read the full letter here.  
• House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party past hearing (July 15): Protecting American Innovation: The Federal Research Security Enterprise
• Watch the full hearing recording here. 
• Related press releases- 
• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Chairman Babin Submits Statement for the Record at Select Committee on China Hearing on Federal Research Security
• House Select Committee on China- Chairman Moolenaar's Opening Statement: Research Security is National Security
• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing: Measuring What Matters: Science, Standards, and Strategic Competition
• Date & Time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET
• Location: SR-253 (Enter through SR-254); also livestreamed
• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Leaders Press National Academies for Requested Documents in Ongoing Oversight Investigation
• Read the SST Letter here.
• House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing (full committee): Unleashing the Golden Age of Science: Examining the Priorities of the FY2027 Research and Technology Enterprise
• Date & Time: July 22, 2026 at 10:15 AM ET
• Location: 2318 Rayburn House Office Building 

 

Federal Agencies

• Department of Energy invites you to participate in the Genesis Mission Summit 2026. Learn more here.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) dear colleague letter: Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities
• NSF press release: NSF awards 12 new Regional Innovation Engines to fuel research, jobs and economic growth nationwide
• View the full list of newly announced awardees here.
• Related webpage- NSF: Regional Innovation Engines
• Department of Energy (DOE) press release: Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Announces Newly Appointed Members of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
• View the full list of newly announced appointees here.

 

Federal Register 

• Homeland Security Department (DHS) final rule: Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media
• Related press release- DHS: Trump Administration Issues Final Rule to Change Foreign Student Visa Terms
• Related article- AIP FYI: Visa and immigration policy: Elimination of duration of status for international students

 

In The News 

• Politico: Judge rules OMB can't retroactively nix grants based on new rules
• Roll Call: Critics mount offensive against change to federal grant rules
• Politico: Administration Reconstitutes Climate Research Office Under New Leadership
• Association of American Universities (AAU): New PhD Admissions Data Show Threat to U.S. STEM Workforce, Breakthroughs, Innovations
• Inside HigherEd: House Republicans Advance Legislation to Formally Dismantle ED
• Science: Trump administration ends dozens of grants for studying patient care

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

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