Alaska science runs on NSF money, and the money has slowed

The National Science Foundation has awarded 55 percent fewer grants this year than at the same point in 2024, and put $1.3 billion less out the door, according to data Democrats presented at a House Science Committee hearing Wednesday. That lands harder in Alaska than in most places.

NSF is the primary federal funder of Arctic research, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a significant recipient — permafrost, sea ice, atmospheric science, and the research vessel Sikuliaq, which NSF owns and UAF operates. Alaska also recently won an NSF award worth up to $160 million over a decade to build a critical minerals research operation, money that depends on the agency's appropriations continuing to flow.

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren argued the funds are being held back. "The president requested a $3 billion cut to NSF for both FY '25 and '26," she said. "Congress said heck no and funded the agency close to FY '24 levels. Yet the money's not getting out the door."

Democrats tied the slowdown to the Genesis Mission, a White House initiative using artificial intelligence to speed federal research. Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios told the committee it has drawn more than $5 billion in commitments, and the Energy Department's next budget request sets aside $1.2 billion for Genesis work at the Argonne and Oak Ridge national laboratories.

Kratsios denied the White House plays any role in individual grant decisions.