Congress Finalizes Most FY 2026 Appropriations

In a significant win for the U.S. science and engineering enterprise, Congress has finalized a series of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills that largely maintain funding for key research and development programs. Lawmakers opted for stable or strengthened budgets at the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Energy (DOE) and its Office of Science, and NASA—preserving core federal investments essential to U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and the engineering workforce.  

National Science Foundation (NSF) 

Congress countered the Administration’s proposal to cut NSF by more than half, restoring the agency to $8.75 billion for FY 26—far above the President’s request of $3.9 billion and only slightly below the previous year’s level. This action protects NSF’s Research and Related Activities account, major facilities, and STEM education programs.  

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 

NIST emerged as one of the clearest examples of Congress recognizing the critical importance of science and engineering research – boosting the agency to $1.18 billion, an increase of $690 million over prior-year funding and a strong affirmation of the agency’s role in standards development, advanced manufacturing, measurement science, and technology infrastructure.  

Department of Energy & DOE Office of Science 

The DOE Office of Science also saw Congress reject significantly reduced funding targets. Lawmakers approved $8.40 billion for the Office of Science, an increase relative to FY 25 levels and well above the Administration’s request of just over $7 billion. This funding supports the nation’s system of national laboratories, user facilities, energy research programs, and the engineering‑intensive scientific infrastructure central to U.S. leadership in fusion energy, high‑energy physics, materials science, computation, and more. 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

Congress also resisted major reductions to NASA’s programs. The Administration had proposed cutting the agency’s budget by nearly 24%, including steep reductions to science missions and exploration systems. Instead, NASA will receive $24.4 billion for FY 26—nearly level with FY 24/FY 25 appropriations and dramatically above the President’s request. Funding levels sustain major priorities such as the Human Landing System, science missions, and ongoing technology development.  

Through bipartisan action, Congress has reinforced federal support for foundational research and technology programs—keeping critical science and engineering agencies on stable footing despite proposed cuts. The FY 26 appropriations demonstrate a continued commitment to U.S. scientific leadership, the engineering profession, and the innovation frameworks that sustain economic growth and national security.  

Subscribe to ASME Policy Impact for continuing updates on the annual appropriations process for key mechanical engineering funding agencies. Read ASME’s letter thanking Congressional leaders for their support at: https://www.asme.org/getmedia/b6f6f5a8-7c49-489a-823a-0f20900119ec/ASME-Letter-on-FY26-Appropriations-Feb-2026.pdf