The National Science Foundation (NSF): FY2026 Appropriations and Funding History

The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports basic research and education in the nonmedical sciences and engineering. NSF is a major source of federal support for U.S. university research. It is also responsible for significant shares of the federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education portfolio of programs that support STEM learning and STEM-education-related research. For FY2025, after a series of short-term resolutions to provide appropriations to NSF, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (P.L. 119-4), signed by the President on March 15, 2025, provided appropriations at the FY2024 level ($9.1 billion). The Trump Administration is seeking $3.9 billion in discretionary funding for NSF in FY2026, a $5.2 billion (-56.9%) decrease from the FY2025 enacted level. NSF has six appropriations accounts: Research and Related Activities (RRA; the main research account), STEM Education (EDU; the main education account), Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC), Agency Operations and Award Management (AOAM), the National Science Board (NSB), and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). In its FY2026 budget request, NSF proposes consolidating the EDU account as a subaccount within RRA, which would be the first appropriations account change since FY2003. The FY2026 request would decrease funding in five of six accounts relative to the FY2025 enacted amount: RRA by $4.2 billion (-58.4%), EDU by $883.6 million (-75.4%), AOAM by $93.0 million (-20.8%), OIG by $6.4 million (-26.3%), and NSB by $2.1 million (-41.0%). The request would provide an increase to MREFC ($17.0 million, 7.3%) over the FY2025 enacted funding level. (Congress designated the $234.0 million appropriation for MREFC in FY2025 as emergency funding, which President Trump canceled after making a determination that the funds were not for emergency needs.) The request also requests funding for three prioritized “critical activities”: artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. As reported by the Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 17, 2025, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (S. 2354), would provide a total of $9.0 billion to NSF for FY2026. This would be a slight decrease of $60.0 million (-0.7%) from the FY2025 enacted amount and an increase of $5.1 billion (130.6%) over the FY2026 request. As reported by the House Committee on Appropriations on September 12, 2025, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 5342), would provide a total of $7.0 billion to NSF for FY2026. This would be a decrease of $2.1 billion (-22.7%) from the FY2025 enacted amount and an increase of $3.1 billion (79.3%) over the FY2026 request. The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (P.L. 119-37), signed by the President on November 12, 2025, provides funding for NSF through January 30, 2026, at the FY2025 level. Since the early 2000s, Congress has authorized increasing appropriations for NSF through four laws, most recently in the CHIPS and Science Act (P.L. 117-167). Since FY2023, enacted appropriation amounts have been largely lower than authorized levels. The 117th Congress authorized the appropriation of $17.8 billion to NSF for FY2026, which is $13.9 billion (357%) more than the FY2026 request. Federal funding for basic research and STEM education has long garnered broad interest and support, particularly in light of concerns about U.S. technological leadership and international competitiveness. However, in a time of constrained federal budgets, agencies such as NSF must compete with many other national priorities. As Congress debates FY2026 appropriations legislation, policymakers may consider numerous issues, including (1) the appropriate level of federal support for basic research and infrastructure and whether to prioritize certain scientific areas or societal goals; (2) how congressional funding direction to NSF regarding its STEM education and broadening participation programs aligns with statutory mandates and the Administration’s priorities; (3) the long-term sustainability of U.S. research and technological leadership under authorized versus appropriated funding levels; and (4) the institutional capacity of NSF to carry out statutory responsibilities given the current and proposed reductions in staff and funding.