Comment from Jeremy Bricker

As a civil engineer, I strongly oppose the proposed rule titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” recently issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as it would significantly undermine the integrity, effectiveness, and global competitiveness of the United States’ scientific and engineering enterprise. If adopted, the transformative rule would grant political appointees sweeping authority over the approval of active and pending federal grants, diminishing the critical role of independent peer review in federal funding decisions. It would also impose restrictions on international collaboration and threaten the financial sustainability of organizations that administer independent scientific review and disseminate research findings. Collectively, these changes would erode the independence, evidence-based evaluation, and outcome-driven focus that are foundational to scientific progress. Civil engineers are stewards of the nation’s built environment. To protect public safety and do our work effectively, we rely on rigorous, peer-reviewed research to design, build, and maintain safe, resilient infrastructure. Scientific and engineering progress also depends on global collaboration that draws on the best expertise and innovation. By limiting international partnerships, the proposed rule would restrict knowledge-sharing and weaken the United States’ position in engineering and scientific innovation. Furthermore, the proposed policy would allow federal agencies to terminate grants with broad discretion, creating uncertainty that could discourage participation in federal research programs and disrupt long-term projects. Research and innovation do not occur in isolation, nor can they thrive when subject to shifting political priorities. The longstanding system of independent, competitive peer review has enabled transformative achievements, including advances in public health, water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure resilience. Ensuring that research outcomes are grounded in rigorous scientific standards is essential if the United States is to continue to be a global leader in research and innovation and be capable of addressing emerging challenges. Beyond its impact on research, federal financial assistance plays a vital role in supporting the planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure systems, including transportation networks, water systems, and energy facilities. The proposed rule risks undermining these investments, potentially compromising the safety, reliability, and resilience of infrastructure upon which communities and the economy depend. For these reasons, I strongly urge OMB to withdraw this proposed rule. Preserving independent peer review, fostering international collaboration, and maintaining a stable and predictable federal funding environment is essential to ensuring continued scientific discovery, infrastructure advancement, and economic prosperity.