# House Seeks NSF Funding Explanation

On October 31, 2026, House Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren asked the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explain why approximately $1.4 billion—nearly 20% of its congressionally appropriated research budget—had not been spent on awards by the end of FY2026 on September 30. NSF’s explanation and subsequent award announcements may affect the timing and availability of research funding for organizations that depend on NSF support; the signal identifies no specific solicitation or procurement opportunity.

- Research organizations and contractors with NSF-funded work can account for potential award-timing uncertainty in funding and project planning.
- The request concerns appropriated research funds, not a new contract or solicitation, so businesses should not treat the unspent amount as an available procurement opportunity.
- Lofgren said the committee had not yet received an explanation. Stakeholders can use NSF’s response and future funding or award announcements to assess the effect on their research portfolios.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 31, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- U.S. Congress

### Key Quotes
> The Committee has yet to receive an explanation from NSF about why it chose not to spend nearly 20 percent of its congressionally appropriated research budget.
> — Zoe Lofgren, Ranking Member

### Sources
- [Ranking Member Lofgren Demands Answers on Over a Billion of Withheld FY26 Funds at NSF | Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren](https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-lofgren-demands-answers-over-billion-withheld-fy26-funds-nsf) - Lofgren