Proposed Changes to Federal Grant Rules – Significant Implications for CGT Research

On May 28, 2026, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a proposed rule that would significantly revise the Uniform Guidance – the foundational regulatory framework governing all federal grants and financial assistance programs. The proposal represents a substantial overhaul of federal grantmaking rules across 42 federal grantmaking agencies. This includes central funders of cell and gene therapy (CGT) research in the United States such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The proposal is was open for public comment following publication in the Federal Register. The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) submitted formal comments and encouraged the greater CGT community to also weigh in on this important proposal. The public comment period closed July 13, 2026.

On July 13, ASGCT submitted formal comments to OMB opposing the proposed Uniform Guidance overhaul, warning it would undermine peer review and inject new uncertainty into CGT research funding. ASGCT also circulated a coalition sign-on letter opposing the draft rule, joined by 126 academic institutions, patient advocacy organizations, and other nonprofit stakeholders across the CGT field - urging Congressional appropriators to limit implementation of OMB's proposed changes.

Please select this link to learn more from ASCGT, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit.