Congress Saves 55 NASA Science Missions After White House Proposed 47% Cut
April 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
The FY2026 appropriations package, signed into law in January 2026, delivered a decisive rejection of the White House's proposed 47% cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Congress approved $24.4 billion for NASA overall and $7.25 billion for science—a mere 1.1% decrease from prior-year levels versus the administration's requested 47% reduction.
The bipartisan deal preserved 55 missions that had faced potential termination, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, New Horizons, Juno, and the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover. The Office of STEM Engagement, which the administration proposed eliminating entirely, received $143 million in continued funding.
The Senate passed the package 82-15 on January 15, with Senate Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) stating it "rejects President Trump's push to let our competitors do laps around us by slashing federal funding for scientific research."
What the Budget Means for NASA Grant Recipients
The $7.25 billion Science Mission Directorate allocation sustains competitive research programs across astrophysics, earth science, heliophysics, and planetary science. NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) solicitations continue on normal timelines, and no active research programs face mid-cycle termination.
The $2.005 billion allocated to the Human Landing System—a 29% increase over prior years—also generates subcontracting and research partnership opportunities for institutions working in lunar technologies. Space Technology received $920.5 million, while Aeronautics held steady at $935 million.
NIST emerged as the biggest winner among science agencies, securing $1.847 billion—a 21% increase that more than doubled the administration's request—including $55 million directed to AI standards and safety research.
Why Researchers Should Act Now
Despite the FY2026 victory, the administration's newly released FY2027 budget proposes further reductions to science agencies, setting up another congressional battle. Researchers should submit competitive proposals now while current funding levels hold.
The Planetary Society emphasized that sustained advocacy was critical to this outcome and urged the research community to remain engaged. Scientists exploring NASA and NSF funding opportunities can track open solicitations through grantedai.com.
For a detailed breakdown of how the FY2026 budget affects NASA and other science agency research programs, visit the Granted blog.