Update:

News reports have begun to circulate indicating the White House will not proceed with an executive order to establish a politically appointed oversight panel to review individual grants issued by the National Institutes of Health.

However, given ongoing efforts through the White House Office of Management and Budget to insert political appointees into the approval process for federal grants, it is possible the administration may pursue similar goals through other channels.

GSA will continue to keep you updated on these and related matters. And GSA encourages you to act as scientist-citizens and contact your representative and senators to speak up about the importance of federal funding for research and aging-related programs. Several members of Congress voiced their opposition to the potential executive order over the past several days, and they proved to be bipartisan allies last year in preventing the administration's proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health budget and allowable indirect costs for grants.

Thank you for being willing to join with us to safeguard the research ecosystem.

Original message: Ask Congress to act before a proposed executive order affecting NIH grant review is issued.

Reports indicate that the White House is considering an executive order that could establish a politically appointed oversight panel with authority to review individual grants issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Read a publicly available report about the potential executive order.

  • GSA supports the responsible administration of NIH funding in a manner consistent with congressional intent and the agency’s established scientific and merit-based review process. Decisions about lifesaving biomedical research should be guided by scientific merit and the potential to improve health, not by political tests.
  • A strong federal grants ecosystem helps academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, health systems, professional societies, and community organizations work in partnership with government to generate evidence, train the workforce, advance innovation, and deliver services that improve our lives. GSA encourages policies that promote transparency, stability, and broad participation so that research, education, public health, and community services can continue to improve health and well-being for all of us as we age.

    Congressional leaders have raised concerns:

    Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said political review of NIH awards selected through scientific and merit-based processes would be contrary to congressional intent and would undermine decisions based on scientific need and merit. Read the Collins statement and related coverage.

    Senator Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said NIH funding decisions should be made by experts and should focus on whether the science could save lives. She emphasized patients and families waiting for medical breakthroughs. Read Senator Murray’s statement.

    Representative Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, said lifesaving biomedical research should not be subject to political litmus tests and warned that the reported proposal could jeopardize treatments and cures. Read Representative DeLauro’s statement.

    Take Action Now

    Call your U.S. representative and both U.S. senators and ask them to contact the White House now, before an order is issued. Urge the administration not to establish a political review process for individual NIH grant awards. Use GSA’s member call script to guide your outreach, and let GSA know if you receive any follow-up from your member of Congress or congressional staff.

    GSA's Member Call Script

    Thank you for speaking up in support of a transparent, expert-led NIH grantmaking process
    and the research patients and families are counting on.