AACI Comments on Proposed Changes to Federal Financial Assistance

July 11: Academic cancer centers conduct a substantial share of cancer research, clinical trials, and workforce training in the United States. As the only membership association dedicated to academic cancer centers, the Association of American Cancer Institutes is deeply concerned by a proposed rule posted to the Federal Register by the White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday, May 29.

AACI submitted written comments in response to Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance (OMB-2026-0034) as part of the public comment period, which closes Monday, July 13.

As written, the proposal includes several provisions that significantly impact the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and other federal agencies that are integral to sustaining the nation’s cancer research enterprise. Of particular concern are provisions that would:

• Require senior political appointees to conduct pre-issuance reviews of discretionary awards to ensure alignment with agency and presidential policy priorities
• Diminish the role of experts in the award process by classifying merit review as solely advisory
• Increase agency discretion over grant awards, suspensions, and terminations
• Limit the type and scope of permissible research
• Prohibit the use of grant funds for costs associated with conferences and publications

In its institutional comments, AACI requested clarification and provided revisions related to the above concerns that would maintain the integrity of cancer research while honoring the OMB’s stated goals of improving transparency, accountability, and oversight for federal awards.