1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I urge you strongly to oppose the changes proposed by the office of management and budget. These changes will have significant consequences for scientific research in the United States and beyond. Research priorities should be selected, based upon potential for high scientific impact, and must remain flexible to adapt to new discoveries. It is inappropriate to prioritize funding of research that advances a political priority, especially if that area of research has been soundly disapproved. Moreover, most federal awards that support scientific research last longer than one presidential term, and award notices are in frequently aligned with the election cycle. As such, it is impossible to know how political priorities will shift during the term of the award. Scientific discoveries, advance, health and well-being of all citizens, and must remain apolitical.