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91 submits comments on proposed changes to federal financial assistance regulations

91in response to the Office of Management and Budget's proposed rule,, which was published on May 29, 2026.

The proposed rule would revise the regulation commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance. Uniform Guidanceestablishesgovernment-wide requirements for how federal grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal financialassistanceare managed and audited.

According toOMB, the proposed revisions are intended to improve transparency,accountabilityand oversight of federal awards, clarify the regulatory status of the UniformGuidanceand reduce administrative burden for recipients whereappropriate. The proposal also includes changes related to award administration, recipientresponsibilitiesand agency oversight of federal financialassistance.

Because the Uniform Guidance applies acrossnearly allfederal grant-making agencies, any final changes could affect the administration and management of federally sponsored research and other federally funded programs at colleges and universities.

On behalf of 91, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier submitted institutional comments during the public comment period, drawing on expertise from across the university. As one of the nation's leading research universities, 91 currently manages more than $1.1 billion in active federal research awards across 45 federal agencies and works closely with the federal government to advance research, education and innovation. 91 is committed to being a careful steward of taxpayer funding and appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback.

Theuniversity’scomments focusedon the overarching concern that several key provisions are in direct tension with the goals of,“Restoring Gold Standard Science.”

Specifically, 91 provided feedback on provisions that would:

  • Undermine translational and applied research through rigid award categorization.
  • Add a layer of review that is not sufficiently defined.
  • Restrict access to the international research infrastructure essential to scientific leadership.
  • Destabilize active research programs by introducing uncertainty around potential grounds for suspension or termination.

Several higher educationand research associationsof which 91 is a member alsosubmittedcomments on the proposed rule. Their comment letters and related resources provideadditionalperspectives on the potential implications for researchuniversities:

What Happens Next?
The public comment period closed on July 13, 2026. The Office of Management and Budget will review commentssubmittedby stakeholders beforedecidingwhether to issue a final rule. If the agency issues a final rule, it will publish the final regulatory text in theFederal Registeralong with an effective date and responses to significant public comments. Federal grant-making agencies will then make any necessary conforming changes to their own implementing regulations.

91’sOffice of Federal Relationswill monitor the rulemaking process and continue working with campus partners asitmoves forward.