Ranking Member Lofgren Demands Reversal of Changes Made to NSF Award Policies

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren sent a letter(link is external) to National Science Foundation (NSF) Acting Director Brian Stone demanding that NSF rescind its proposed amendments to its Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). On June 24, NSF posted a change to the PAPPG that would implement provisions of the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule that aims to make sweeping changes to how federal grants are awarded. This proposed rule was initially announced on May 29, and the comment period does not end until July 13.

"NSF jumping the gun and issuing proposed PAPPG amendments before the OMB rule is finalized - let alone before the public comment period has concluded - is a clear sign that the Administration in general, and NSF specifically, have no interest in legitimately considering the input of the impacted community," wrote Ranking Member Lofgren in the letter(link is external). "The only acceptable course of action at this point is to rescind the draft guidance from the Federal Register. Failing to do so would put NSF's proposed draft guidance on dubious legal footing. Ultimately, the downfall of the proposed OMB rule would be a victory for American science, but an indictment of the Trump Administration's competence and respect for the rule of law."

Read the letter here(link is external).

###