Two major federal research agencies adjusted grant-review procedures after the government shutdown created backlogs and staffing disruptions. The National Science Foundation announced temporary changes reducing the usual three-external-review standard to a minimum of two reviews and allowing internal reviews to substitute for one external review. The memo framed the move as a way to expedite backlog processing while preserving merit review amid workforce shortages. The NIH issued guidance advising staff to use a computational text‑analysis tool to screen grant applications for alignment with agency priorities and to identify potentially misaligned projects. Observers warned these operational changes could affect review quality and increase administrative appeals from researchers whose projects are expedited or terminated under the new processes. Research offices at universities are preparing appeals workflows and advising faculty to document alignment with agency priorities as reviews accelerate and procedural scrutiny tightens.