White House FY 2026 Budget Proposal Targets Education, Science, and Civil Rights Funding

​The Trump administration released its FY 2026 "skinny budget" on May 2, outlining sweeping cuts to federal programs that support higher education and scientific research.While nonbinding, the proposal signals the administration's priorities and represents yet another attempt to undermine institutions that educate students, drive innovation, and contribute to U.S. economic competitiveness.

The proposal calls for $163 billion in cuts to nondefense discretionary programs and recommends sweeping reductions or eliminations for certain programs, including:

• $10.8 billion in cuts to the Department of Education (ED), which the administration has already proposed eliminating entirely.
• Zeroing out core student aid programs such as TRIO, GEAR UP, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
• A 35 percent cut to ED's Office for Civil Rights, which handles investigations related to discrimination and Title IX protections, among other civil rights matters.
• Deep cuts to research, including $17.9 billion from the National Institutes of Health and nearly $5 billion from the National Science Foundation, targeting climate science, STEM access, and the social sciences.
• Elimination of cultural and service agencies including the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and AmeriCorps. Many employees at these agencies have already been placed on leave, according to Reuters.

While Congress-not the president-ultimately determines funding levels through the appropriations and reconciliation processes, this proposal signals where the administration hopes to steer those debates.