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AMS Resources and Response to the Federal Science Crisis
On 29 May, 2026, the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a new proposed rule titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.” This rule would restructure federal grantmaking throughout the United States and give Executive Branch appointees significantly more authority in federal grant making decisions. For example, it would require that political appointees determine whether specific grant proposals should be funded, and give them the power to terminate existing grants that do not align with an administration’s political priorities. OMB is requesting comments on the proposed change by Monday, 13 July, 2026.
Much of the weather, water, and climate enterprise relies on federal grants, and the proposed rule changes would have major impacts across, and far beyond, our field. AMS encourages members and people in our wider community to learn more about these proposed changes and submit comments about how these changes would affect their work.
Read and Comment on This Proposed Rule
Comments are likely to be most effective for the AMS community if they focus on substantive issues impacting weather, water, and climate science and services, and original (do not copy someone else’s comment). OMB is required to review comments that meet those criteria. You can submit more than one comment so long as the comments address different concerns or sections of the proposed rule.
Want help writing a comment?
The American Physical Society has developed a letter-writing portal for help sending a substantive comment with a specific focus. You can read their overview page here, use this link to leave a general comment, or use their tools to leave a comment on one of the topics below:
AMS provides additional advocacy guidance including how to contact your Congressional representative and engage your community.
Read AMS Response
AMS has submitted comments on behalf of the Society. We've posted our summary and full comments as a resource.
AMS is working with other societies to support comments that address potential impacts on science and research broadly.
Please continue to check back here for more information on what we are doing and how you can contribute.
Links to read more about the proposed rule changes:
AIP FYI: "White House Plan to Take Over Federal Grantmaking Draws Criticism from Science Groups".
Society of Scholarly Publishers: “Guest Post — The US Government’s New Guidance for Federal Grants and The Case for Scholarly Societies”
National Council for Nonprofits: Proposed Changes to the OMB Uniform Guidance [PDF]
Executive brief from the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities, and COGR: OMB Proposed Rule on Uniform Guidance: Immediate Considerations for Research Institutions [PDF].
Analysis from Ropes & Gray:
Click here to read and comment on the OMB Proposal (deadline 13 July, 2026)