As we’ve shared, the FY26 federal budget allocation process—which is still under way—looks promising for scientific agencies. The House Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee is marking up the NIH funding bill, and we expect to see more details later this week when the report is published.

More uncertainty ahead for grants

We remain concerned by how universities like Cornell will fare after the August 7 executive order that, if adopted, would dramatically reshape the federal grantmaking process.

As the American Association for the Advancement of Science describes, the directive would “require political appointees to sign off on new grant solicitations, allow them to overrule advice from peer reviewers on award decisions, and let them more easily terminate ongoing grants.”

The order also tells agencies to favor institutions with lower indirect costs to reimburse. Cornell has higher indirect costs because we conduct research that requires a more complex infrastructure. If we become less competitive for grants, entire research programs may have to shutter.

You don’t have to just watch and wait

Join us in taking action on behalf of science and Cornell’s nationally important research.

• Expand this advocacy circle. Ask your friends and family to join the Cornell matters cause.
• Call your representatives. Thank you for telling your congressional representatives to stand up for science—and for being willing to do so again. If you haven’t already, we urge you to advocate for higher education.
• Cover immediate funding needs. Help Cornell weather this ongoing budget uncertainty by making a gift to:
  • The Provost’s Research Resiliency Fund
  • Student financial aid
  • Or another area that matters to you

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