2026 midterms could reshape US science funding and grant reviews

The Nov. 3 midterms could change which party controls Congress and how lawmakers oversee President Donald Trump’s administration’s treatment of federal science. Members of both parties have held off proposed deep cuts to the National Science Foundation, but its 2027 budget is unfinished. A spending bill temporarily blocks a plan to let political appointees override scientist grant reviewers. Future budget bills would still need Trump’s signature.