OMB Rule Update Center

18 August 2026 — Submit Your Comment on NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking public comment on its proposed “Guidance on Financial Assistance” that describes the policies and procedures for preparing and submitting research proposals, and the rules for managing and administering NSF financial assistance awards.

The draft incorporates many of the harmful changes in the proposed OMB rule, including those affecting the political review of grants, international collaboration and professional activities.

We encourage you to submit your comments on the proposed guidance. The comment period will close on 24 August 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Read the proposal and submit your comment.

12 July 2026 — SSA Submits Formal Content to OMB

SSA has submitted its formal comment to the proposed OMB rule. You can read the full text of the comment here in PDF format.

We encourage you to submit your own comments on the rule by the Monday, 13 July deadline of 11:59 PM US Eastern Time. You can submit a comment through the APS portal or directly through the Federal Register.

SSA’s Government Relations Committee will continue to monitor this rule and provide further information on how you can stay engaged after the comment period has passed.

17 June 2026 — SSA partners with APS on Comment Portal

SSA has joined the American Physical Society (APS) and nearly twenty other scientific societies in responding to this rule. APS has built a tool that lets you submit comments on each of the rule’s key issues individually. We encourage you to take a few minutes to make your voice heard before the deadline.

Submit a comment through APS

The comment period closes July 13, 2026.

8 June 2026 — SSA is closely tracking the proposed rule by the U.S. Office of Budget and Management (OMB) that would significantly restructure federal funding for research.

The proposal elevates political considerations over peer review, allows active grants to be terminated at any time, broadly prohibits international scientific collaborations, and places strict limits on professional memberships, conference attendance and publication funding, among other consequential changes.

It is clear that as written the proposed rule would be catastrophic to our work as scientists.

Tips for Submitting a Comment to OMB or Your Elected Representatives:

  • Begin your letter with a strong statement that contains your main concern about the proposed rule.
  • Identify yourself clearly  (a seismologist and professor at University of X, and/or a constituent in congressional district and state).
  • Use concise, plain language and avoid unnecessary jargon.
  • Include specific section numbers of the rule (§§ 180.745 , etc.) in your comments addressing those sections.
  • Be specific about how the proposed rule will impact the public, if applicable.
  • Avoid partisan attacks, offensive language or “rants.” Maintain a professional tone.

SSA’s Formal Response

Share your thoughts to guide GRC discussion on SSA’s formal response: GRC Comment

Advice for International Members

Your input will be important to the GRC as it discusses SSA’s response, especially regarding how the proposed rule will affect your ability to collaborate with U.S. scientists. Please consider submitting a response here: GRC Comment

If you are working with U.S. scientists, please consider collaborating with them on a response that will go directly to OMB. International citizens may submit comments to the rule-making process, but your comments will have more impact if they are submitted along with U.S.-based researchers: OMB Direct Comment