Senate appropriators advanced fiscal 2026 spending bills that largely rejected the Trump administration’s steep proposed cuts to federal research agencies, preserving billions for science at universities and national labs. Committee proposals would provide roughly $188.3 billion for scientific research—about 21% more than the White House request and a notable lift for NSF, NIH and AI-related initiatives. The package restores large components of agency funding the administration sought to cut, including an NSF budget that lawmakers increased versus the White House proposal and an NIH allocation substantially above the request. The Senate’s language also earmarks money for quantum, AI, regional innovation and research facilities that many university research offices count on to sustain labs and graduate programs. The floor advancement signals bipartisan resistance on Capitol Hill to deep research drawdowns and offers temporary relief to university researchers and sponsored‑programs offices prepping budgets and grant strategies for 2026. The bills still face final votes and conference negotiations, but the Senate action reduces near‑term disruption to campus research portfolios. Why it matters: sustained federal research funding underpins faculty grants, doctoral training and lab capacity—and the Senate bills preserve much of that pipeline for universities nationwide.