Here’s our regular check on the NIH funding data. The figures for January 2026 have just been published, and show 44.5% less was awarded vs this point in January 2025. This is in alignment with the fiscal year (FY) to date, starting Oct 1st 2025, which stands at 56% less than the same point in FY25 – though this does include the shutdown in October and half of November 2025.
Figure 1: NIH Funding by month 2024 – 2026
While January is typically a low month, this year is particularly so – with just $901m awarded, 44.5% less than this time in 2025.
Figure 2: NIH Funding change by month FY25 to FY26
As it’s the start of the calendar year, we’ve shown the fiscal year (FY) here. So far, FY26 (Oct ’25 to Jan ’26) stands at $2.108bn – 56% or $2.7bn less than this point in FY25 (Oct ’24 to Jan ’25). Note the FY26 began with the government shutdown, so zero was paid in October and half of November 2025.
Figure 3: Cumulative NIH funding 2023 – 2026
Calendar year 2025 closed out at $38.25bn, just 7% lower than 2024.
What can you do about it?
There’s no sugar coating it, the figures so far in this fiscal year do not look great. If you’re selling to scientists this makes it more important than ever to reach the right people, at the right time, with the right message. When funds are scarce, buyers will need to “save” them into tangible assets – which could look like long-lasting equipment or bulk orders of consumables. See more on our previous blog here.
Within the SciLeads platform, make sure you have your alerts turned on so you’re notified of new grants in your niche as soon as they’re awarded. You can use this, plus the detailed profile on the researcher’s historical papers and presentations, to tailor your outreach.
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