A Slow Start to FY 2026
The federal government is nearly halfway through the 12-month fiscal year (FY) that began on Oct. 1, 2025. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget of $47.2 billion, approximately 80% (in dollars) of which is being awarded through grants and contracts to U.S. academic and other research institutions to carry out biomedical research. This Data Brief examines obligations from the first half of FY 2026 and highlights potential emerging trends in NIH grant obligations and awards. Further information and updates on the NIH’s FY 2026 obligations and funding trends can be found on the AAMC website at the Tracking NIH Funding page: aamc.org/nihfunding.