Higher education and research groups escalated objections to a Trump administration plan to tighten oversight of federal research funding, warning that it could sideline traditional peer-review models. A proposed Office of Management and Budget change would require federal agencies to designate political appointees to review new and existing grants, replacing the current norm of deferring to expert panels. AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh called the proposal “a brazen power grab” in a statement, arguing it would stifle future scientific discoveries. American Council on Education said the rule could tie discretionary awards to administration priorities. AAU President Barbara R. Snyder warned that the proposal would “materially alter” foundational principles underpinning federally supported research, including enabling agencies to terminate active grants deemed inconsistent with program goals.