A proposed US government rule that could drastically restrict federally funded research collaboration with China has sparked confusion and concern among academics, with critics warning it could lead to a near-complete decoupling of the US and Chinese scientific communities.
The Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, part of the executive office of the US president, published the proposed rule in May as part of a significant revision of regulations governing federal financial assistance awards and sponsored research programs, including all federal research grants.
The rule was originally scheduled to take effect on Oct 1. Earlier this month, however, the US Senate passed a bipartisan continuing resolution that blocks the rule from being finalized or enforced until Dec 11.
Under the proposal, political appointees would gain greater authority over grant awards that have traditionally been guided by scientific peer review. The rule cites the Wolf Amendment, which bars scientists from using NASA funding for bilateral collaborations with China, as a model for government-wide restrictions on foreign research collaboration.
Scientific, research, policy and education groups have raised concerns that the proposal could effectively prohibit federal funding for US scientific collaboration with all leading Chinese universities and academic institutions.
