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Colette Delawalla, founder of Stand Up for Science, warned that the OMB’s draft rule would turn $1.5 trillion of federal research money into a political slush fund, effectively dismantling the U.S. science ecosystem.The Proposed OMB Rule Threatening Federal Research GrantsThe Office of Management and Budget, led by Russ Vought, released a 411‑page proposal on 29 May that would require all discretionary research awards to “demonstrably advance the president’s policy priorities” and ban collaborations deemed to promote “anti‑American values.” The rule would shift grant decision‑making from scientific experts to political appointees.Numbers Behind the Controversy: Potential Losses in Clinical TrialsStand Up for Science estimates that nearly 5,000 of the roughly 10,000 NIH‑funded clinical trials could be halted.Potentially affected studies include > 1,000 cancer trials, hundreds of pediatric, veteran, suicide, heart‑disease, and diabetes trials.More than 31,000 public comments have been submitted to the OMB’s docket as of 13 July.Why the Rule Could Undermine the U.S. Science EcosystemThe rule threatens not only high‑profile research but also everyday innovations funded by federal grants, from wheelchair technology to veterans’ housing. By politicizing grant approvals, it could discourage international collaboration, a cornerstone of modern science, and erode public trust in federal research institutions.What Comes Next: Legal Battles and Congressional PushbackStand Up for Science is coordinating a legal strategy, having convened about 50 attorneys nationwide. In Congress, only a handful of members, such as Senator Chris Van Hollen, appear fully briefed on the proposal, while others dismiss the concerns as “protesters.” The organization continues to urge public comments before the 13 July deadline and is preparing to challenge the rule in court if it is finalized.