House Science Committee Democrats pushed for answers on possible redirection of NSF funds, slowed grantmaking, and allegations of coordination with DOGE and the White House.

Russell Vought told Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez that the White House is “working on technology, including AI” to use “in conjunction” with agency policy officials.

The department wants to improve user experience by making it easier to manage, monitor and review the outcomes of grants.

The department had the steepest hill to becoming the fourth initial QSMO because it lacked a preexisting shared services model like the others.

A National Science Foundation team developed a document ‘fingerprinting’ process that could help federal grant-issuing agencies sort through thousands of proposals more effectively.

Planning around transitioning agencies to modern grants management systems is already delayed.

The first four QSMOs were selected for their size and back-office lines of business to develop a process for creating marketplaces.