Early FY26 Office of Management and Budget Funding Pause

Clinical Trials and other important research studies are not being funded and studies will be abandoned if funds are not turned back on

NIH is very far behind schedule in obligating appropriated funds for FY26. The 43-day shutdown contributed to this delay, but does not explain the continued delays in awarding grants. On average across NIH institutes, new awards have decreased by 46% compared to this point in March 2024; overall awards have decreased by 36% compared to this point in March 2024. 

In addition, the administration’s workforce reduction policies have already put NIH’s ability to obligate funds in peril. Many Institutes have extreme shortages in grants management staff, the staff responsible for issuing grant awards.