The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed rule changes that would bring <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/omb-rule-change-politicize-science-grant-funding/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a major shift</a> in how scientific grants are awarded by U.S. government agencies. Under the current process, researchers submit grant proposals that are then vetted and scored by a committee of experts in that scientific field, with top-scoring proposals recommended for funding.
If its <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposed changes</a> are enacted, the OMB would insert a political review into the process, allowing administration officials to determine whether grant proposals are aligned with administration priorities, regardless of their scientific merit. Those proposed rules are now in a public comment period. Holden Thorp, editor in chief of the Science family of journals, joins Ira to explain why he called the change “another red alert for American science” <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aej3572" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in a recent editorial.</a>
Guest:
Dr. Holden Thorp is editor in chief of the Science family of journals, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Other episodes you may enjoy:
<a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/naomi-oreskes-us-science-history/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A Science Historian Tackles Ghostwriting In Scientific Papers</a><a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/mrna-funding-cuts-rfk-climate-news/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What Do mRNA Funding Cuts Mean For Future US Research?</a>
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/omb-rule-change-politicize-science-grant-funding/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sciencefriday.com.</a>
<a href="https://pod.link/73329284" target="_blank">Subscribe to this podcast.</a> Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scifri/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@scifri" target="_blank">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scifri" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a> @scifri and <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank">sign up for our newsletters</a>. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: <a href="tel:+18774724374">877-472-4374</a> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

Under proposed rule, science funding must pass political review

Science Friday

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews