It is important to fight what they are trying to do. It is so insane I have doubts they can implement it. But I can also say that the agencies have been in a state of chaos for some time now. As "just a nerdy physicist" I have been part of the process on both ends. It's already difficult enough to get grants. This is a very rigorous and competitive process.
Putting unqualified people in there to do this job will result in the whole of US science collapsing. I don't think that is an exaggeration. If the idea is for research to be done by private entities means the death of basic research.
This level of control will hollow out research. Censoring particular words already limits "acceptable" research. Many scientific or medical proposals would beyond the understanding of administrators especially anything pathbresaking.
I have worked with research grants finding appropriate reviewers, a panel of experts that span the topics of proposals up to and including dispensing grants.
This plan is beyond belief. Politicizing science is a terrible idea. Creativity is part of research. Administering grants requires a distinct set of skills. Without OUTSIDE ratings of proposal, you set the stage for waste, fraud and abuse if not outright graft.
Thank you Simon for this interview. I've signed Collette's declaration, sent my public comments to the government, donated to SUFS. Vought is evil and to have grants overseen by political appointees smacks of discrimination and racism. Licensed allied health care professional with a degree in science still advocating for patients over forty years.
I went to Stand up for Science’s website, I joined, I donated but I couldn’t find reference to the OMB rule and Stop Vought, Save Science. I came back to this podcast and submitted a comment through the link you provided. I think the Stand UP website hasn’t been updated to include this urgent issue.
Thank you so much for both of you for this very informative interview. I was supported by the National Science Foundation for decades and I find this OMB initiative so wrong.
Thank you, Simon, for the interview with Paulette. Very informative. Just submitted a public comment. Inspired by Tim Snyder's phrase "superpower self-suicide" when talking about the Trump agenda,writ large, I railed against this rule saying it would create "science suicide" here in the US.
It is important to fight what they are trying to do. It is so insane I have doubts they can implement it. But I can also say that the agencies have been in a state of chaos for some time now. As "just a nerdy physicist" I have been part of the process on both ends. It's already difficult enough to get grants. This is a very rigorous and competitive process.
Putting unqualified people in there to do this job will result in the whole of US science collapsing. I don't think that is an exaggeration. If the idea is for research to be done by private entities means the death of basic research.
This level of control will hollow out research. Censoring particular words already limits "acceptable" research. Many scientific or medical proposals would beyond the understanding of administrators especially anything pathbresaking.
I have worked with research grants finding appropriate reviewers, a panel of experts that span the topics of proposals up to and including dispensing grants.
This plan is beyond belief. Politicizing science is a terrible idea. Creativity is part of research. Administering grants requires a distinct set of skills. Without OUTSIDE ratings of proposal, you set the stage for waste, fraud and abuse if not outright graft.
Thank you Simon for this interview. I've signed Collette's declaration, sent my public comments to the government, donated to SUFS. Vought is evil and to have grants overseen by political appointees smacks of discrimination and racism. Licensed allied health care professional with a degree in science still advocating for patients over forty years.
I happen to be one of those jabronies working in STEM! Will share these instructions
Comments submitted! Thanks for keeping this front of mind at Hopium.
Can patients who benefit from research about Alzheimers, Cancer, .... have a voice too?
Yes, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I submitted my comments via the Stand Up for Science website, as posted in an earlier chat.
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/trumps-incredible-meltdown-rigging/comment/272830945
We can also submit them directly to the federal register here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance#open-comment
I went to Stand up for Science’s website, I joined, I donated but I couldn’t find reference to the OMB rule and Stop Vought, Save Science. I came back to this podcast and submitted a comment through the link you provided. I think the Stand UP website hasn’t been updated to include this urgent issue.
Thank you so much for both of you for this very informative interview. I was supported by the National Science Foundation for decades and I find this OMB initiative so wrong.
Thank you, Simon, for the interview with Paulette. Very informative. Just submitted a public comment. Inspired by Tim Snyder's phrase "superpower self-suicide" when talking about the Trump agenda,writ large, I railed against this rule saying it would create "science suicide" here in the US.