CASC Comments in Response to OMB Federal Financial Assistance Proposed Rule

The Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC) respectfully submits these comments in response to the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule, “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” (Docket OMB-2026-0034), published in the Federal Register on May 29, 2026.

CASC is a nonprofit membership organization representing 110 leading higher education and research institutions across the United States. Our members operate advanced research computing, data, and networking infrastructure that is foundational to U.S national scientific research and its leadership position in scientific research. CASC’s mission centers on advocating for and advancing the role of research computing and data in academic science and ensuring that the full range of U.S. academic institutions can participate meaningfully in the federal research enterprise.

CASC urges OMB to withdraw or substantially revise the proposed rule. As detailed below, the rule would fundamentally dismantle the merit-based, expert-driven federal grant system that has underpinned U.S. scientific leadership since World War II.