American Innovation Act Proposes Decade-Long Funding Surge for Key Science Agencies Starting FY2026

The American Innovation Act sets out a plan to significantly boost funding for basic science research across several key federal agencies over the next ten years. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026, the bill authorizes specific, increasing annual appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy's Office of Science, Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The core idea is to create a sustained, long-term investment in foundational scientific discovery.

Charting the Course for Discovery

This isn't just a one-off bump; the bill maps out a steady climb in funding year over year through Fiscal Year 2035. For example, the NSF starts at $9.7 billion in FY2026 and ramps up to $18.3 billion by FY2035. Similarly, the Department of Energy's Office of Science sees its funding grow from $8.8 billion to $16.6 billion over the same period. These increases are earmarked for the core research activities within these agencies – the kind of work that leads to fundamental breakthroughs, though the bill doesn't dictate exactly which projects get funded within each agency.

Locking In the Investment

A key feature here is stability. The funds allocated are available until they're spent, preventing researchers from losing money due to arbitrary deadlines. After 2035, the funding levels aren't static; they're set to increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, essentially adjusting for inflation to maintain purchasing power. Furthermore, the bill specifically shields these appropriations from potential future budget cuts known as 'sequestration' (automatic, across-the-board reductions) and exempts them from 'PAYGO' rules, which typically require new spending to be offset by cuts elsewhere. This signals an intent to make this science funding a protected priority.

From Funding Bill to Future Tech

What does this mean in practical terms? This sustained investment aims to fuel the pipeline for future technologies and scientific understanding. Think advancements in computing, materials science, energy solutions, medical research, and space exploration – areas often built upon foundational work funded by these agencies. Beneficiaries include researchers, universities, and potentially the tech and defense sectors leveraging these discoveries. While the focus is squarely on boosting science, it's worth noting that prioritizing these specific budgets could mean tighter resources for other government programs not covered by this act.