The Coalition of Higher Education Associations, representing a broad range of academic, research, and nonprofit organizations, submitted a formal request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a 30-day extension to comment on proposed revisions to several key federal regulations governing grants (specifically 2 CFR 25, 170, 183, and 200). The coalition recognizes the significance of these revisions and endorses OMB’s efforts to improve the research funding environment, emphasizing the value of partnership in this endeavor. However, they stress that a modest extension—from March 23 to April 22—is vital to allow for a comprehensive and thoughtful review of the proposals, particularly to assess potential burdens, unintended consequences, and intersections with related regulatory guidance.
The letter underscores the coalition’s commitment to providing substantive feedback rather than an exhaustive catalog of changes, aiming to improve the regulatory outcome for both federal and non-federal grantees. Citing statutory requirements for periodic review of these regulations and noting the potentially limited future opportunities for comment, the associations assert that granting this extension is both reasonable and prudent. They close by expressing appreciation for OMB’s leadership and reaffirming their readiness to collaborate in achieving effective and beneficial regulatory improvements for the research community.
