A new federal rule proposal would rework how colleges, universities, and other grant recipients are evaluated for funding by shifting grant decisions away from independent peer reviewers toward administration-appointed officials. Advocates warn the changes could allow funding to be terminated mid-project based on political priorities. The proposal also seeks to convert what is currently guidance into binding “hard” rules, further tightening executive control over grant-making processes. Supporters of the change say it would de-politicize evaluation and standardize merit-based selection. For higher education research enterprises—where multi-year grants underpin hiring, equipment purchases, and program execution—the risk is not only cancellation but also the loss of predictable, peer-driven decision-making that institutions rely on for long-term planning.