Rockville, MD - September 23, 2026 — The Obesity Society released the following statement in response to reports that the administration is considering an executive order that could give political appointees greater authority over National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding decisions: “The Obesity Society strongly opposes any effort to inject political ideology into decisions about which scientific research receives federal funding. Reports that the administration is considering giving political appointees authority over NIH grant decisions raise serious concerns about the future of independent, merit-based biomedical research in the United States. Scientific funding decisions should be based on scientific merit, [...]

The Honorable Russell VoughtDirectorOffice of Management and Budget725 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20503 Re: OMB-2026-0034, Proposed Revisions to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Dear Director Vought: The Obesity Society (TOS) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Office of Management and Budget's proposed revisions to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. TOS represents over 4,000 researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals working to address obesity, a chronic disease affecting more than 100 million American adults and driving much of the nation's burden of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, [...]