As his Senate testimony alleged danger from mRNA COVID vaccine, El-Deiry had an offer to run NCI Frederick lab The job offer to run the lab—home to virus research, RAS Initiative, and data science—was quickly rescinded

Proposed OMB rule aims at the heart of the U.S. research enterprise—and scientists are fighting back
“The question isn’t whether politics will influence research. Under this proposal, that’s the point. That’s their goal.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget has published a “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance,” a proposed rule that seeks to fundamentally redraw the ground rules for all federally funded research. On the other side are America’s scientists who aren’t just crying foul—they are readying for a political fight.

House bill gives NCI $7.4 billion in FY 2027—$110 million above current budget

On June 9, the House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the fiscal year 2027 spending bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

NCI selects UChicago Medicine as a lead site for clinical trials

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has been granted a six-year, $5 million grant from NCI.

June 12, 2026

Vol.52 No.23

Political appointees to be inserted into all stages of making research funding awards if OMB rule becomes final

The White House Office of Management and Budget has released a 412-page proposal that inserts political appointees into all stages of reviewing and awarding of federal research grants.

June 05, 2026

Vol.52 No.22

By Paul Goldberg and Claire Marie Porter

Podcast

As FDA’s wheels almost entirely come off, NCI remains sturdy—a cancer moonshot may even be on the horizon

While every agency under HHS, particularly FDA, has seen historic leadership shakeups and massive cuts to personnel and funding over the course of the second Trump administration—NCI has been spared, even getting a small raise, under the direction of NCI Director Anthony Letai.

May 27, 2026

Capitol Hill NCI

NCI’s Letai gets softball questions from Senate appropriators at an otherwise contentious hearing

NCI has been getting what seems to be less austere treatment compared to its NIH counterparts.

May 22, 2026

Vol.52 No.20

By Jacquelyn Cobb

As his Senate testimony alleged danger from mRNA COVID vaccine, El-Deiry had an offer to run NCI Frederick lab

The job offer to run the lab—home to virus research, RAS Initiative, and data science—was quickly rescinded

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Proposed OMB rule aims at the heart of the U.S. research enterprise—and scientists are fighting back
“The question isn’t whether politics will influence research. Under this proposal, that’s the point. That’s their goal.”

House bill gives NCI $7.4 billion in FY 2027—$110 million above current budget

NCI selects UChicago Medicine as a lead site for clinical trials

Political appointees to be inserted into all stages of making research funding awards if OMB rule becomes final

As FDA’s wheels almost entirely come off, NCI remains sturdy—a cancer moonshot may even be on the horizon

NCI’s Letai gets softball questions from Senate appropriators at an otherwise contentious hearing

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As his Senate testimony alleged danger from mRNA COVID vaccine, El-Deiry had an offer to run NCI Frederick lab

The job offer to run the lab—home to virus research, RAS Initiative, and data science—was quickly rescinded

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Proposed OMB rule aims at the heart of the U.S. research enterprise—and scientists are fighting back“The question isn’t whether politics will influence research. Under this proposal, that’s the point. That’s their goal.”

House bill gives NCI $7.4 billion in FY 2027—$110 million above current budget

NCI selects UChicago Medicine as a lead site for clinical trials

Political appointees to be inserted into all stages of making research funding awards if OMB rule becomes final

As FDA’s wheels almost entirely come off, NCI remains sturdy—a cancer moonshot may even be on the horizon

NCI’s Letai gets softball questions from Senate appropriators at an otherwise contentious hearing

Never miss an issue!

Login

Proposed OMB rule aims at the heart of the U.S. research enterprise—and scientists are fighting back
“The question isn’t whether politics will influence research. Under this proposal, that’s the point. That’s their goal.”