On Friday, April 3, 2026, the federal administration released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 President’s Budget Request. The budget includes $1.45 trillion for combined defense discretionary spending ($1.15 trillion) and mandatory defense spending ($350 billion), representing a 44% increase over the FY26 level, and $660.1 billion for non-defense discretionary funding, representing a 10% decrease from FY26. This request largely retains the cuts to science and education programs proposed for FY2026. Specifically, this FY27 President’s Budget Request includes:
- $41.43 billion for NIH, a 12% decrease from FY26
- $3.9 billion for NSF, a 54% decrease from FY26
- $7.1 billion for the Department of Energy, a 13.5% decrease from FY26
- $19 billion for NASA, a 23% decrease from FY26
- $76.5 billion for the Department of Education, a 2.9% decrease from FY26
Additionally, the President’s Budget Request eliminates the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as eliminates funding for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program and Federal TRIO programs and cuts funding to the Federal Work-Study Program by 90%.
As a reminder, this annual request outlines the Administration’s priorities. Ultimately, it is up to Congress to decide what is included in annual appropriation bills that fund federal programs. Congress remains adjourned this week as part of its scheduled recess. Upon Congress’s return next week, we can expect committees to begin holding hearings on the proposed budget, and draft FY27 appropriation bills could be released starting in the next few weeks.
News and Announcements
The William T. Grant Scholars Program supports promising early‑career researchers through five‑year research and mentoring plans aimed at addressing inequality or improving the use of research evidence. At UW–Madison, the School of Education will select one nominee through an internal competition; applications are due May 1. Investigators who have applied in previous years are strongly encouraged to apply again this year.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released its inaugural NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research. This plan provides a comprehensive roadmap to advance innovative, responsible research that promotes the health and well-being of Americans with disabilities.
NIH also announced on March 31, 2026, that they will be ending the Continuous Submission Policy. Continuous applications will be accepted through Aug. 10, 2026 (for the June/July standard due dates and January 2027 Council assignment). The Late Submission Policy is also being updated. Review the full update and details on conditions for the late submission policy on the NIH website.
UW Libraries has compiled a research guide focused on funding for artists. Resources available include arts-focused websites for funding and books on funding and professional development. Check out this resource on the UW Libraries website.
UW–Madison is monitoring revised USDA General Terms and Conditions that are currently the subject of a multi‑state legal challenge, with Wisconsin participating. While litigation proceeds and campus assesses the implications, UW–Madison has paused acceptance of USDA awards or award actions that include the revised terms (effective December 31, 2025). Additional guidance will be shared as more information becomes available.
Join us on April 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. for the April Research Collaborative Community of Practice for a panel called Joy in Writing, Joy in Reading: Panel Discussion on Crafting Clear and Engaging Scholarship. Panelists include Erica Halverson, Julie Stamm, Christine Wenc, Lisa Cadmus-Bertram, Tim Tansey and Emily Brinck. Attend virtually via Zoom.
After a national search, Kurt McMillen has been appointed the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Research Administration Officer, a role in which he also serves as the Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP). McMillen served in the interim role and has been instrumental in navigating changes in the federal funding landscape, responding to media inquiries, developing a strategic plan for RSP, and serving on the Vice Chancellor for Research’s advisory committee to help guide the OVCR strategic plan.
The Academic Phrasebank is a free, general resource for academic writers. Developed at the University of Manchester, it provides examples of the phraseological basics of academic writing, organized by the main sections of a research paper or dissertation. Sections include introducing work, referring to sources, describing methods, reporting results, discussing findings, and writing conclusions.
If you have not already done so, please remember to complete your annual Outside Activities Report (OAR) covering activities undertaken in calendar year 2025 by April 30, 2026. State of Wisconsin and University policies require you to complete an OAR each year, even if you have no outside professional activities.
Congratulations to Arts faculty on their exhibitions currently showing outside of Wisconsin:
- Michael Velliquette, Liminal | Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MoCRA), Saint Louis University, 3700 W Pine Blvd, St. Louis, MO | March 1–April 19, 2026
- Emily Arthur, Land Lines; Water Lines | SRISA Gallery, Santa Reparata International School of Art, Via San Gallo 53/R, 50129, Florence, Italy | April 1–20, 2026
- John Hitchcock, Tasiwoo / Pau / Buffalo Song | SRISA Gallery, Santa Reparata International School of Art, Via San Gallo 53/R, 50129, Florence, Italy | April 1–20, 2026
- Tom Jones & John Hitchcock, We Each Hold Stories | The Sheldon, 3648 Washington Blvd., Saint Louis, MO | Nov. 2, 2025–May 2, 2026
Events and Learning Opportunities
- April 10, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Wisconsin Research & Education Network (WREN) Research Hub Meeting
- April 16, 2026, 1 p.m.: Four Common Experimental Designs and How to Use Them Training & Statistical Consulting Demo
- April 17, 2026, 10–11:30 a.m.: Youth Protection In Research Labs Virtual Workshop
- April 21, 2026, 8:30–10 a.m.: Morgridge Center for Public Service Aging and Older Adults Community–University Mixer
- April 30, 2026, noon–1:30 p.m.: NIH Innovations in Behavioral and Social Science Research Methods Webinar
- Mary 6, 2026, 1–2 p.m.: The Institutional Challenge Grant: An Overview of the Program and How to Apply with the William T. Grant Foundation
- May 14, 2026, 1–6 p.m.: Teacher Education Research Colloquium
Art Exhibits:
- Tom Jones, Tom Jones Returns to West: Photography Exhibition | Madison West High School Art Gallery, 30 Ash Street, Madison, WI | March 4–April 28, 2026
- Angela Johnson, Synthesis: Bits and Pieces | Mandelbaum and Albert Family Vision Gallery, McPherson Eye Research Institute, 9th floor, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI | Feb. 5–May 29, 2026
- Gerit Grimm, Farther Afield | Overture Center for the Arts, Gallery III, 201 State Street, Madison, WI | March 17–May 31, 2026
- Michael Velliquette, Cut It Out: Papercutting Traditions and Beyond | Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine, WI | Feb. 18–Oct. 3, 2026