NASA is on track to award its fewest scientific grants in 15 years, despite receiving consistent funding for basic science. As the U.S. government's fiscal year approaches its end, the agency has issued 1,188 new grants, which is about 15% fewer than the historical average and comparable to numbers from 2025.
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The contrast is notable given the bipartisan rejection in 2025 of a proposal by the White House to cut science funding by nearly 50%. Congress managed to maintain support for basic science, and such efforts are expected to continue into 2026. Furthermore, NASA adhered to its budget, spending more in 2025 than in prior years, yet the number of grants has declined. This drop in grants can be attributed to an increase in the median value of each grant, suggesting the agency is directing funds towards fewer researchers. Additionally, NASA engaged in “advance-funding” of grants to utilize available funds effectively before the fiscal year ends.
The reasons behind the reduced number of grants are not entirely clear. Changes in administrative rules imposed by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, combined with a significant reduction in personnel at NASA's Shared Services Center, which manages grant awards, may have contributed to the situation. This center reportedly lost about 20% of its staff in the past year. Increased funding proposals aimed at cutting these programs further complicate the landscape.
I recently presented these findings to a committee at the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. It is crucial to assess the impact of funding on individual scientists rather than just the total allocations for scientific programs. The space science field is increasingly strained, facing limited opportunities for researchers to obtain the resources necessary to analyze data from existing spacecraft.
In other news, Congress has passed a continuing resolution to fund the government until December 2027, deferring final action on NASA's budget. This resolution also prevents the White House from enforcing a proposed rule that would allow political influence over grant awards.
Meanwhile, NASA has withdrawn its support for providing a radar instrument for the European Space Agency's EnVision mission, despite previous congressional funding, citing ongoing budget cuts under consideration by the White House. Additionally, a dispute has arisen following NASA's contract award to Blue Origin for a Mars telecommunications relay, which has spurred Rocket Lab to file a formal protest, potentially delaying the mission's launch.
These developments underline the ongoing challenges faced by NASA and the implications for the scientific community.