Comment from Ferhaan Ahmad

I am a physician-scientist at a major research university and academic medical center. In this capacity, I serve many roles, including caring for patients and families with inherited cardiovascular disorders, conducting basic and translational research in cardiovascular genetics, directing a fellowship training program in cardiology, and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the main scientific journal in my field. I receive funding for my research from multiple sources, including federal, foundation, and industry. I am very concerned by the Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance proposed rule for several reasons. 1. Public input into research priorities, either directly or through their elected representatives, is very important and welcome. It is puzzling why public communications would be restricted. Broad restrictions on public notice of grant competitions for undefined national interest reasons would similarly exclude public involvement in science. At the same time, most lay people do not have the background to evaluate the soundness of methodologies or the potential long-term benefits of individual fundamental research projects.. Great discoveries are often made by unconventional thinking. Science funding should not be governed by primarily political considerations. 2. Although scientific inquiry can threaten preconceptions, such activity is critical to the United States maintaining its leadership role in almost every realm, including economic, technological, and social. 3. Collaborations with international colleagues and dissemination of findings at meetings and in journals should not be curtailed by restrictions on the use of grant funds for these purposes. Synergy of expertise , equipment, and ideas across international borders accelerates scientific progress. It is often difficult to predict years in advance which meetings or journals would be the best venue in which to present future scientific findings. Furthermore, international collaborations usually enhance the reputation of US institutions and foster greater goodwill across the world. 4. If funding becomes unpredictable because active grants may be terminated at any time for any reason, it will become very challenging to find the best professional and trainee talent to take positions in research laboratories. Moreover, the sudden termination of clinical studies may be harmful and even life-threatening to human patients. Therefore, I urge OMB not to finalize the proposed rule.