U.S. Science Funding Update: National Science Foundation

January 15, 2026 Update – The United States Senate passed the 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Act, which includes funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), as part of the minibus spending package. Now, it moves to the President to sign into law. 

As of January 14, 2026 – In the United States, Congress returned to Washington, D.C., in January 2026 with much unfinished business—including fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations (funding) for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

The good news:

Upon its return in January, Republican and Democrat members of the House of Representatives and Senate announced they had negotiated a compromise spending plan for NSF. Importantly, for fans of the NSF, the compromise measure rejects the draconian cuts proposed by the White House and early plans from the House of Representatives. The measure also made changes that require the administration to spend money as directed, according to information from congressional sources. The measure also bars the White House Office of Management and Budget from cancelling or ignoring negotiated indirect rates for the National Science Foundation. Similar language regarding the National Institutes of Health was included in the NIH funding package that became law last year.

The measure passed the House of Representatives on January 8 by a vote of 397-28. It is not yet the law of the land, however. It must still be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. The Senate has overwhelming supported a procedural vote that makes it possible for the chamber to consider the legislation, a move that typically signals that a measure will pass.  

Assuming the package is approved by the Senate and signed into law, the funding plan for the National Science Foundation provides $8.8 billion, a $1.8 billion increase above the level previously proposed by the House of Representatives and $4.8 billion above the President’s request. Research and Related Activities accounts will receive $7.1 billion, which is equal to the 2025 funding level, $794 million above the House level, and $3.9 billion above the President’s request. STEM Education will receive $938 million, which was zeroed out in the House bill and the fiscal year 2026 administration request.

Next steps:

The Senate must pass the measure, and the President must sign the legislation into law.

What APS members can do:

APS members can contact your U.S. Representative to thank them for supporting the National Science Foundation in the final FY 2026 appropriation bill. You can remind them that the NSF is the only federal agency that supports fundamental scientific research and discovery for all fields of science. It drives the discoveries that contribute new knowledge and innovations that strengthen the economy and promote public well-being.

You can also contact your Senators to encourage them to approve the “CJS minibus”—the legislation that includes funding for NSF.

Related Professional Development webinar on writing for local impact: Science Homecoming

Thank you to APS members:

APS members have helped achieve the progress described above. Your membership helps support APS science policy and advocacy efforts, which include working with other scientific societies and organizations through coalitions and concerted efforts to educate policy makers about the importance of investments in psychological science research and education. APS members have worked through APS in 2025 to talk directly to lawmakers. Psychological scientists visited members of Congress as part of our Congressional Visits Day last May, have penned letters to local newspapers, and have called and sent messages to their elected representatives.

Science policy advocacy requires a sustained effort and the active involvement of many voices. Through APS, you can continue to help shape the future of science and ensure that psychological science is a priority.

We will have much work to do in 2026, and we look forward to working with our members to advance psychological science policy interests.

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