The State of Science Funding in 2026
How Is the Shifting Funding Landscape Affecting Researchers?
U.S. federal science funding is undergoing its most significant structural shift in decades. In 2025, both the NIH and NSF issued substantially fewer new grants than in prior years — the NIH awarded 8.6% fewer grants while the NSF saw a 25% decline in new research awards. Congress has so far rejected the administration's proposed cuts for FY2026, but the White House has delayed the release of approved funds to multiple agencies, and the FY2027 budget request proposes further reductions across civilian science agencies.
Meanwhile, a shift toward forward-funding (providing grants as lump sums rather than annual payments) has reduced the number of new projects agencies can support in any given year. Grant review procedures at both agencies have been revised to prioritize federally designated focus areas, raising questions about how research agendas are shaped when funding and political priorities intersect.
In this poll we are asking the SciPinion community to report on how these changes are affecting their research programs, institutions, and fields directly, and to weigh in on what structural responses would most effectively protect the integrity and independence of scientific research.
Meanwhile, a shift toward forward-funding (providing grants as lump sums rather than annual payments) has reduced the number of new projects agencies can support in any given year. Grant review procedures at both agencies have been revised to prioritize federally designated focus areas, raising questions about how research agendas are shaped when funding and political priorities intersect.
In this poll we are asking the SciPinion community to report on how these changes are affecting their research programs, institutions, and fields directly, and to weigh in on what structural responses would most effectively protect the integrity and independence of scientific research.