White House Delays Release of Approved US Science Budgets

Funding to key research agencies like NIH and NSF remains stalled despite Congress rejecting proposed cuts.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Weeks after the U.S. Congress rejected unprecedented cuts to science budgets that the Trump administration had sought for 2026, funding to several agencies that award research grants is still not freely flowing. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been slow to authorize the release of these approved funds, delaying critical research programs at agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Why it matters

The White House's hold on approved science funding raises concerns about political interference in the research process and the administration's commitment to supporting scientific discovery and innovation. Delays in funding could disrupt ongoing research projects and hinder the ability of agencies to award new grants, ultimately impacting the pace of scientific progress in the United States.

The details

The NIH has so far not received approval to spend any of the research funding allocated in a budget bill signed into law on February 3. The NSF was authorized to spend its funding just last week. NASA has had its full funding authorized for release, but with an unusual restriction that limits spending on ten specific programs - many of which the Trump administration had tried to cancel last year.

  • The U.S. Congress rejected the Trump administration's proposed science budget cuts on February 3, 2026.
  • As of late February 2026, the NIH has not received approval to spend its allocated research funding.
  • The NSF was authorized to spend its funding just last week in late February 2026.

The players

White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The White House office responsible for overseeing the administration's budget and policy priorities, which has been slow to authorize the release of approved science funding.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

A leading U.S. agency that awards research grants, which has not yet received approval to spend its allocated funding.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

A U.S. government agency that supports fundamental research and education in science and engineering, which was just authorized to spend its funding last week.

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which has had its full funding authorized for release but with restrictions on spending for certain programs.

U.S. President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration had sought unprecedented cuts to science budgets for 2026, which were rejected by Congress.

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What’s next

The OMB will need to fully authorize the release of approved science funding to the NIH, NSF, and other agencies in order to allow critical research programs to move forward without further delays.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the White House and the scientific community, and the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of the scientific process from political interference. Timely and reliable funding is essential for researchers to pursue important discoveries and innovations that benefit society.