On August 7, 2025, the White House issued an executive order to reform the federal grantmaking process in order to improve efficiency and accountability. This order identifies several key areas for enhancement, including the need for thorough reviews of funding opportunity announcements and discretionary grants to ensure that they align with agency priorities and national interests. It underscores the importance of reducing wasteful spending and increasing the effectiveness of funded projects, especially in scientific research where reproducibility of results has been an ongoing concern.

The order requires agency heads to appoint senior officials to oversee the grant review process, ensuring that applications are evaluated based on their merits and alignment with government objectives. It also calls for better coordination between agencies to avoid redundancy in grant announcements and to encourage collaboration. Furthermore, the document emphasizes that grant applicants should present clear and understandable proposals, reducing the need for legal or technical expertise during the application process.

Additionally, the executive order includes provisions to revise existing guidance on grant terms and conditions, allowing for more flexibility in terminating grants that do not fulfill their intended purposes. It aims to limit funding for costs associated with facilities and administration, ensuring that a larger share of grant funding is allocated toward achieving concrete results. Overall, the initiative from the White House seeks to restore public trust in federal spending by enhancing oversight and accountability in the grantmaking process.

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