As released on May 2, 2025, the President’s FY2026 Discretionary Budget Request of $3.9 billion for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) reflects a strategic alignment of resources in a constrained fiscal environment in which NSF prioritizes investments that can have the greatest national impact.
Summary tables
Total NSF Funding
- NSF Summary Table
- NSF Budget Requests and Appropriations by Account: FY 2006-FY 2026
- NSF Funding Profile
- Number of People Involved in NSF Activities
- NSF Administration Priorities and Crosscutting Research Topics Summary
- NSF Programs to Broaden Participation Table
- Fellowships, Scholarships, and Postdoctoral Programs
The following themes appear repeatedly in the broad portfolio of fundamental research that is at the heart of NSF's mission. They support the Biden administration’s priorities and give shape to the organizing principles for NSF's FY 2026 Budget Request.
Artificial Intelligence Narrative
Microelectronics and Semiconductors
Spectrum Innovation Initiative
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Overview
Antarctic Infrastructure Recapitalization
Leadership-Class Computing Facility
Funding within NSF's Research and Related Activities appropriation invests in early-stage research and the development of a future-focused workforce that can accelerate progress in basic science and engineering research as well as support the private sector.
Research and related activities overview
Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Geosciences: Office of Polar Programs
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, including NCSES
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy
Office of International Science and Engineering
Funding within NSF's STEM education appropriation invests in education and training programs that attract individuals from diverse backgrounds and from every sector. These investments — spanning pre-K through graduate school and beyond — ensure a pipeline of people and ideas ready to solve pressing global challenges in science and engineering.
Investments in NSF's Agency Operations and Award Management fund the essential services the agency needs to operate, enabling research and stewarding the taxpayer investment.
Organizational Excellence Overview
Office of Inspector General
Office of the National Science Board
This section of NSF's budget request contains basic information about the agency's mission, strategic plan and its FY 2026 Annual Performance Plan.