In Brief
Take Action: Protect Federal Scientific Research by Completing FY26 Appropriations Work
With less than two weeks left before the continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government expires, Congress has passed measures a package to fund the Department of Energy Office of Science and National Science Foundation (NSF), however, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains to be done. Write your Members of Congress today and urge them to advance the proposal set by the Senate for FY26.
Congress Passes First Funding Bills for FY26
On Thursday evening, the Senate voted to approve a three-bill minibus for fiscal year (FY) 2026 minibus covering Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy and Water, and Interior-Environment programs, providing funding for the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation for the remainder of the year. The minibus agreement avoids many of the steep cuts proposed in the administration’s budget request and preserves funding for key science and research agencies.
In addition, the House passed a two-bill package covering State and Foreign Operations (now renamed National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs), along with Financial Services, where it awaits a Senate vote after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Appropriators have suggested that this weekend we may see bill text on another three-bill minibus that would combine Defense, Transportation-HUD, and Labor-HHS-Education, as lawmakers have 14 days to complete funding work before the next continuing resolution deadline on January 30. Negotiations continue around Senate bill language that would block the Administration’s proposed shift to forward-funded grants for NIH that was included in the final Senate Appropriations language in July restricting the number of grants receiving forward-funding to no more than was done in fiscal year 2024. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is doing its best to keep the Senate language that would block the forward-funding out of the final Labor Health and Humans Services (LHHS) agreement.
Appellate Court Rules Against Caps on Indirect Costs
On January 5, a panel of appellate judges upheld a lower court ruling blocking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from placing a cap on administrative overhead and research facilities, also known as indirect costs, for grants. This reverses the policy change announced by NIH on February 7, 2025 that capped indirect costs at 15%; other federal agencies quickly followed suit with similar caps of 15%. The decision maintains current reimbursement rates pending any action from Congress or Administration to change the way those payments are calculated. Permanent injunctions were issued from the court in the following months after lawsuits were filed by a coalition of states, universities and professional societies.
The January ruling cites language included in a 2018 spending bill that prohibits NIH from modifying how it awards indirect costs in any way. That language has been included in subsequent spending bills for the agency, reaffirming Congressional intent. Language providing similar prohibitions on agency modifications to indirect costs was included in the just approved appropriations bills covering the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy Office of Science.
While the court ruling can still be appealed, whether or not the Administration will do so is not clear. The Office of Management and Budget is already working on revisions to the current rules that would apply to every federal agency through the traditional rulemaking process.
Public Affairs @ Annual Meeting: From Data to Dialogue: Artful Strategies Against Misinformation
Join us on Sunday, February 22 from 2:30pm to 4:00pm to boost your science communication skills in this interactive workshop with Dr. Shahir Rizk and Dr. Maggie Fink. Through games, discussions, and hands-on activities, you’ll learn to explain complex ideas clearly, engage diverse audiences, and fight misinformation. We will discuss research surrounding science communication and practical strategies on how to make our research accessible, inspiring, and impactful. The workshop will also explore the role of art and storytelling as powerful tools to convey complex scientific information and to rebuild trust within our communities.
Public Affairs @ Annual Meeting: From PhD to Policy Wonk: Exploring Careers Outside Academia and Industry
New generations of biophysicists are exploring career pathways outside of the lab by using their expertise to impact science and health policy on the state and federal levels. Join the Public Affairs Committee for a panel discussion by current and former BPS Congressional Fellows and learn more about how they have used their PhD to impact policy both during and after their fellowships and if this might be the path for you. Join our panel for a discussion on career options outside of academia on Monday, February 23, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.
- Sarah Smaga, BPS Congressional Fellow, Office of Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04)
- Clarissa Bhargava, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
- Jessica Wu, FutureHouse and Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL)
Public Affairs @ Annual Meeting: Inside NIH: Explore Biophysics Grant Opportunities in Key Institutes
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), with its 27 Institutes and Centers, can cause researchers moments of pause as they navigate where their research is best applied. While each Institute and Center has its own distinct focus of research, there is a considerable amount of overlap and coordination that does occur – particularly in biophysics research. Join the Public Affairs Committee for a panel session with Program Directors from the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute on General Medical Science (NIGMS). Join us on Tuesday, February 24, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Panelists:
- George Umanah, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Eric Johnson, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Veronica Taylor, National Institute on General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Public Affairs @ Annual Meeting: Inside Perspectives and Opportunities: NSF Grants
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of the largest federal funders of biophysical research each year alongside the National Institutes of Health. Through the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, scientists continue to advance basic and biomedical research. Join us for an insider’s perspective on the various divisions offering grant funding within NSF and learn how to put together a strong grant application. This session is a great opportunity for new and early career investigators. Join us on Tuesday, February 24, from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.
Panelists:
- Wilson Francisco, National Science Foundation
- Marcia Newcomer, National Science Foundation