AACR Opposes Proposed Federal Grant Rule Changes Impacting Cancer Research Funding
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is actively opposing a proposed rule by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that could significantly alter how federal grants are awarded and managed. The proposed rule, titled 'Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,' would expand the role of political appointees in grant reviews, reduce the emphasis on merit-based evaluations, and impose new restrictions on federally funded research. The AACR and other organizations have expressed concerns that these changes could undermine the integrity of scientific research funding, particularly affecting cancer research. Despite a short 45-day public comment period, nearly 500,000 comments were submitted, with 95% opposing the proposal. The OMB plans to finalize the rule by October 1, 2026, but it may face legal challenges.