July 13, 2026
United for Medical Research submitted comments on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance governing federal research grants. While UMR supports OMB’s goals of improving transparency, accountability, and oversight of federal funding, we are concerned that certain changes could inject uncertainty into the grant-making process and jeopardize our nation’s highly successful biomedical innovation ecosystem at a time of increasing global competition in the life sciences from China and other countries.
UMR’s comments focus on two key areas of the rule – federal agency merit review and termination and suspension authority – and highlight the importance of maintaining a stable, predictable research environment that supports scientific discovery, medical innovation, patient health, economic growth, and U.S. competitiveness.