Science Friday One Year Into Trump’s Term, Where Does Science Funding Stand?
Jan 13, 2026
Sudip Parikh, CEO of the AAAS, discusses the current state of science funding in the U.S. and how it has been affected over the past year. He highlights the promising FY2026 budget signals while detailing the implications of NSF fellowship cuts for future scientists. Parikh emphasizes the importance of bipartisan support in Congress and reflects on the U.S.'s competitive position against countries like China. He advocates for the value of basic science and stresses the need for scientists to rebuild public trust through personal connections.
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Funding Uncertainty Caused Real Damage
- Funding uncertainty in 2025 caused real damage across science, slowing or terminating grants and reducing student interest.
- Congress's recent bills show bipartisan support and small increases that restore some stability.
Congress Kept Budgets Mostly Flat
- Congress released bills that largely hold science agency budgets flat with small shifts across programs.
- NSF's overall science budget is flat but education funding was cut about 3%, while NIST and DOE Office of Science saw increases.
Advocate Broadly To Protect Science Funding
- Advocate proactively for science funding; coordinated outreach made a measurable difference in Congressional support.
- Engage patients, industry, philanthropy, and scientists to make funding cases compelling to lawmakers.