CGS Supports Stable Funding Levels in FY2026 Appropriations
CGS Contact: Kelley Karnes
602-791-8278 / kkarnes@cgs.nche.edu
PDF version of press release
Washington, DC — The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) applauds the 119th Congress for passing fiscal year 2026 spending legislation. Signed into law by President Donald Trump, this spending package maintains funding levels for federal research, demonstrating Congress’ commitment to supporting the nation’s research enterprise and higher education programs that impact graduate students.
The spending package provides $79 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Education and continues federal support for higher education programs including TRIO, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, the Fulbright-Hays Program and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS). Specifically, the spending package directs the Department to hold a new grant competition for the CCAMPIS program which supports graduate students who are parents to young children. These essential programs ensure that every student has every path available to them so they can complete their degree.
The newly enacted legislation also appropriates robust funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency whose mission is to enhance the health of the American people. The $47.2 billion appropriated to the biomedical agency will support student access to biomedical research that prepares students for crucial jobs in developing medical breakthroughs, cures, and disease prevention.
Earlier this year, Congress passed and the President signed into law, a spending package that appropriates $8.4 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science and $8.75 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The enacted legislation provides $938 million for the STEM Directorate, which includes $285 million for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. This level of funding demonstrates Congress’ commitment to fundamental scientific research and to the faculty, scientists, and graduate students who conduct cutting-edge research at America’s colleges and universities. Access to graduate research provides hands-on learning experience for graduate students and prepares them for a workforce that is essential to our communities.
America has long been the global leader in the advancement of medical interventions, research and the development of cutting-edge scientific innovations. This is due to the federal funding of research at America’s colleges and universities that has supported the career readiness of its graduate students. As Congress begins the budgetary process for FY2027, CGS encourages them to continue investing in graduate education by increasing federal funding to agencies that support research.
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About CGS
The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an organization of approximately 460 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. The organization’s mission is to improve and advance graduate education, which it accomplishes through advocacy in the federal policy arena, research, and the development and dissemination of best practices.