Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 7/23/2026 12:00:00 AMAs shared last month, ASCPT submitted formal comments to OMB on its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance for federal financial assistance (OMB-2026-0034). We warned that the changes — including expanded political review of grants, broader termination authority, and new restrictions on using grant funds for conference travel and publication costs — would weaken the infrastructure that trains our workforce and advances new therapies. Read the full letter.
A note for members who want to do more. Advocacy isn't something we've asked much of our members, and we know many of you — whether in academia, industry, or government — have institutional policies (or in some cases, legal restrictions) that shape what you can and can't do individually. If you're interested and able, Research!America's website has a helpful, low-pressure starting point: researchamerica.org/advocacy. A few examples of what some members have found manageable:
- Sharing with your senator or representative why merit-based peer review and scientific collaboration matter to the pace and quality of scientific progress and patient therapies
- Writing an op-ed for your local paper — the more local, the better, as community papers are often looking for exactly this kind of content
- Checking with your institution's government relations office about how you might get involved
These are entirely optional and as an individual, not on ASCPT's behalf. If you do take any steps and want to share, we'd love to hear about it at members@ascpt.org.
