FY26 appropriations: 11 bills finalized; DHS funding lapses
On January 30, the Senate approved an amended FY26 appropriations package providing full-year funding for departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Financial Services, National Security, State, Transportation, and housing and urban development, along with a two-week extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill cleared the chamber 71–29. Because the Senate modified the package, it returned to the House, resulting in a brief partial government shutdown.
On February 3, the House passed the amended package 217–214, finalizing 11 of the 12 FY26 appropriations bills. Only the Homeland Security bill remains outstanding. Lawmakers had until February 13 to reach a bipartisan agreement on DHS funding.
Senate Democrats proposed a full-year DHS package that added new guardrails on ICE operations. Republican leadership opposed these restrictions, halting progress. On February 10, Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture to advance the House-passed DHS bill as a vehicle for a short-term continuing resolution, but the February 12 procedural vote failed 52–47, short of the 60 votes required.
As a result, DHS funding expired on February 13, prompting a partial government shutdown affecting FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard. The duration is unclear as lawmakers recess the week of February 16.
NIH & Research Funding Highlights
The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill includes a modest increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), setting a $47.216B base budget. Funding levels include:
- $1.5B for ARPA‑H,
- $3.9B for Alzheimer’s and related dementia research,
- $7.4B for the National Cancer Institute,
- $2.3B for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and
- +$19M for rare disease research.
Section 240 maintains NIH’s use of multi‑year grant funding at FY25 levels, rather than the OMB‑proposed 50% multi‑year model.
APLU has published a simplified funding chart summarizing research-related account totals.
NASA reauthorization advances in the house
The House Science Committee unanimously approved H.R. 7273, the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026, in a 37–0 vote. The bill renews NASA’s authorities for one year and largely maintains existing programs and policy direction. The Senate Commerce Committee is developing a companion measure, though its timeline remains uncertain.
White House nominates chair for the National Endowment for the Humanities
On February 4, President Trump nominated Michael McDonald to serve as Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). McDonald has served as acting director since March 2025 and previously held the role of NEH general counsel. The nomination now moves to the Senate for confirmation ahead of a four‑year term.
DOE announces new initiatives under the Genesis Mission
During the second week of February, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced two major actions as part of its Genesis Mission, an initiative leveraging AI to accelerate scientific discovery and energy innovation.
DOE published 26 new science and technology challenges covering:
- grid optimization,
- nuclear data modernization,
- materials design,
- autonomous labs,
- advanced manufacturing, and
- quantum algorithms.
These challenges will help coordinate national laboratory, academic, and industry efforts.
To support these efforts, DOE also launched the Genesis Mission Consortium, a public‑private partnership managed by TechWerx, operated by RTI International. The consortium aims to align technical expertise, computing assets, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in AI‑driven research.
National Academies urge renewal of SBIR/STTR programs
A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine affirms that the SBIR and STTR programs — often called “America’s Seed Fund” — remain essential for U.S. innovation and national security. Despite their expiration in late 2025, the programs show strong outcomes across 11 participating federal agencies.
Key findings include: Department of Defense SBIR/STTR programs have produced significant agency and awardee success, and the programs constitute “the world’s largest initiatives dedicated to small business innovation in defense technology.”
Based on the report’s findings that these programs have been successful, the National Academies recommends that Congress approves and extends their status permanently.
Senate HELP Committee examines NIH reforms
On February 3, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled “Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures.” NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was the sole witness.
Topics included:
- improving the NIH peer‑review and grant management process;
- increasing transparency and accountability in funding decisions;
- vaccine research and public communication;
- strengthening public trust in biomedical science; and
- balancing oversight with support for the research workforce.
Senators across parties emphasized the need to modernize NIH operations without undermining its scientific mission.
OSTP highlights first-year S&T priorities of the administration
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a report summarizing major science and technology achievements from the administration’s first year. Areas of activity include:
- artificial intelligence,
- quantum science,
- nuclear technologies,
- biotechnology and health,
- advanced transportation,
- space policy,
- 6G and spectrum, and
- advanced manufacturing and materials.
The report highlights multiple partnerships with U.S. universities — examples that may be useful for future advocacy and engagement.
DoD consolidates science & innovation advisory boards
At the end of January, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced it will merge the Defense Innovation Board and the Defense Science Board into a new consolidated entity: the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STIB).
The merger aims to reduce bureaucracy, streamline and unify expert guidance, and provide “one voice for innovation” across the department. STIB will include up to 40 members and will have two standing subcommittees: strategic operations and national security innovation.