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Panel warns OMB proposal could sideline peer review, restrict international collaboration
Summary
Panel speaker warned an Office of Management and Budget proposal could make peer review advisory, authorize political appointees to overrule technical reviewers, and impose restrictions on data sharing and collaborations with certain affiliations, potentially limiting international research partnerships.
The UMass Chan vice chancellor warned attendees that an Office of Management and Budget proposal under consideration could fundamentally change how federal grant decisions are made and restrict academic collaboration. “It would do away with the peer review process,” the presenter said, adding that the OMB rule could leave ultimate award decisions to political appointees and allow agencies to terminate grant cycles without explanation or appeal.
He said the rule could also impose limits on international collaboration, defining collaboration broadly to include data sharing, and noted widespread public comment against the proposal. The presenter described coordinated responses from the research community and from the Massachusetts attorney general, who he said joined other state attorneys general in pushing back on the policy.
