AASF Calls for Withdrawal of OMB Proposed Rule and Recommends Evidence-Based Revisions That Strengthen Both Research Security and American Scientific Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C (July 14, 2026) – The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) submitted comprehensive public comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on its proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, recommending OMB withdraw the proposed rule. Should OMB decide to move forward with the proposed rule, AASF provided targeted revisions to strengthen research security while preserving American values and our scientific prowess. The comments recommend practical, evidence-based revisions that improve clarity, strengthen due process, preserve scientific merit review, retain responsible international collaboration, provide reasonable support for co-authorship, and promote consistent implementation across the federal government.
The proposed regulation would establish government-wide requirements governing federal financial assistance, including research grants, cooperative agreements, and other federally supported scientific activities. Because these requirements will influence much of the nation’s research enterprise and all Americans, AASF emphasizes that research security and scientific competitiveness should be advanced together through clear, objective, and risk-proportionate policies.
Executive Director Gisela Perez Kusakawa released the following statement:
“America’s leadership in science and technology has always been one of our nation’s greatest strengths. It is built on world-class talent, rigorous scientific excellence, responsible collaboration, and public trust in the integrity of our research enterprise and the American system.
Research security, civil rights, and scientific competitiveness go hand in hand. We believe the United States is strongest when our policies protect against genuine security threats while continuing to foster the democratic principles, innovation, and excellence that have made America a global leader.
We are proud to contribute the perspectives of the Asian American Scholar Forum community to OMB. I thank our fellows for their contributions to our comments and their research that benefits all Americans and humanity. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers, federal agencies, and research institutions to help ensure that America’s research enterprise remains secure, competitive, and the envy of the world.
Asian American scientists, engineers, researchers, and scholars have made extraordinary contributions to the American research enterprise and continue to play an essential role in advancing U.S. scientific and technological leadership. As OMB reviews public comments and prepares the final rule, AASF looks forward to continued engagement with the Administration, Congress, federal agencies, universities, scientific societies, the Asian American community, and the broader research community to help ensure that federal research policy continues to strengthen American democratic and civil rights values, innovation and national security. AASF remains committed to advancing evidence-based policies that keep the United States at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological leadership.”
The full public comment submitted by AASF is available here.
The Office of Management and Budget’s proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance is available here.
Media Contact: Candace Erie, media@aasforum.org
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Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national nonprofit that promotes belonging, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provosts, vice provosts, deans, associate deans, and past and current department chairs.