New US Rules Will Let Government Cancel Science Grants

The US government announced new rules that will change how it gives money for scientific research. Under the new plan, the government will be able to cancel any grant at any time, without warning.

The rules came from the Office of Management and Budget. This office controls how the government spends money. Scientists and universities said the rules will cause serious problems.

In the past, independent experts reviewed research projects. These experts decided if the science was good enough to receive money. The new rules will make peer review optional. This means the government will not always need experts to check projects.

Instead, political staff will screen grant applications. They will look for topics that the current government does not want to fund. Scientists who study these forbidden topics will not get money.

Many researchers said they were shocked by the new rules. They said it was very hard to plan long research projects when funding could stop suddenly. Some projects take five to ten years to complete.

Universities warned that they could lose millions of dollars. This money pays for laboratory equipment, salaries, and student programmes. Without federal grants, some research departments will have to close.

Scientists from other countries will now find it easier to attract top American researchers. Some experts said the US risks falling behind in important fields like medicine and technology.

Critics called the rules an attack on scientific independence. Supporters said the government has the right to decide where tax money goes.