Science Friday Slow Release Of Federal Science Funds Holds Up Research
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Mar 4, 2026 Alexandra Witze, a Nature correspondent based in Boulder, Colorado, explains a Nature report on federal research funding slowdowns. She walks through where approved money is being held and how new OMB rules are restricting disbursements. Short scenes cover which agencies and projects are affected and the possible long term consequences for researchers.
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Carnegie Institution Waiting On $20 Million
- The Carnegie Institution is waiting on about $20 million in research funds that haven't been released despite budget approval.
- Vice President for Research Anat Shahar said pending grants since March 2025 block hiring students and postdocs and delay multi-year projects.
OMB Using Restricted 30 Day Apportionments
- The Office of Management and Budget is issuing restricted 30-day apportionments that often allow spending only on salaries.
- Alexandra Witze found NIH was releasing roughly 30% of usual grant funding early in the year due to these tighter OMB rules.
Approved Funds Sitting In A Holding Pattern
- Money approved by Congress is being held back at OMB rather than flowed to agencies, creating a funding 'holding pattern.'
- Witze's analysis showed NIH's grant payouts were substantially lower than in prior years despite an approved budget.