Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information Guidance on Financial Assistance

The commenter, a computational disease ecologist and co-creator of Grant Witness, urges the NSF to withdraw the proposed Guidance on Financial Assistance (GFA). They argue that the GFA prematurely aligns with unfinalized OMB regulations, removes procedural safeguards, and creates a vague "national interest" standard that allows for ideologically motivated, discretionary termination of research awards.

The commenter opposes the proposed changes to the National Science Foundation's proposal and award information guidance, specifically criticizing the "Expanded and Accelerated Termination Authority." They argue that the ability to suspend or terminate awards without notice or a corrective action plan creates a lack of clarity regarding a recipient's ability to exercise appeal rights.

The commenter opposes the proposed NSF policy changes, arguing that they prematurely align with an unfinalized and litigated OMB regulation. They express concern that the proposal bypasses public comment requirements and allows political appointees to influence grant selections without sufficient scientific expertise or oversight.