What Actually Happened
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) operated from January 2025 until it ceased active operations in November 2025, ahead of its scheduled July 2026 sunset. During that period, DOGE's website reported 15,887 grant terminations claiming $49 billion in savings, 13,440 contract terminations claiming $61 billion, and 264 lease terminations. Those numbers deserve skepticism. Independent analysis found over 3,600 contracts and 2,600 grants listed on DOGE's website showed $0 in savings. Analysts identified duplicate entries, counting the same cancellations multiple times, and taking credit for programs that had already concluded. DOGE's own website later claimed total savings of approximately $190 billion across all categories, but independent analysts dispute that figure. But the disruption was real. Multiple federal agencies froze grant payments, terminated active awards, and fired grants management staff. Courts intervened repeatedly. Congress ultimately rejected the deepest proposed cuts in FY2026 appropriations. The result is a federal funding picture where some programs are operating normally, some are partially restored by court order, some are permanently terminated, and some are in legal limbo. This guide covers each major agency so you can determine what is still available for your organization.
NIH: $47 Billion Preserved, But Disruptions Continue
**What happened:** DOGE ordered termination of approximately 400 grants in February-March 2025, targeting research related to DEI, gender, vaccine hesitancy, and topics deemed misaligned with administration priorities. Over 3,200 additional grants were put under review. **Court battles:** Judge William G. Young (D. Mass.) declared the terminations "void, illegal, set aside, and vacated" and ordered restoration. The Supreme Court (5-4) stayed that order in August 2025, allowing NIH to stop paying out $783 million in contested grants temporarily. Separately, Judge Allison D. Burroughs struck down a freeze on Harvard's federal grants, finding in her ruling that it constituted an unconstitutional restriction on academic freedom. That case is on appeal to the First Circuit. **FY2026 funding:** Congress appropriated $47.22 billion, a $415 million increase over FY2025. This rejected the administration's proposed 40% cut. **What you can apply for now:** NIH is processing new awards under FY2026 funding. The next standard R01 deadline is June 5, 2026. SciENcv biosketches are now mandatory. The simplified three-factor peer review system is in effect. Early-stage investigator success rates dropped to 18.5% in FY2025 (down from 29.8% in FY2023), reflecting increased competition. NIH Director Bhattacharya stated in December 2025 that restored DEI-related grants will not be renewed. See our NIH grants guide for current application details.
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NSF: $8.75 Billion, Awards Resuming
**What happened:** Over 400 grants were initially terminated. The NSF director resigned under pressure from DOGE, which had proposed cutting the NSF budget by more than half. On May 1-2, 2025, NSF froze all new research awards, crossed $1 billion in terminated awards in a single day, and announced a 15% cap on indirect costs for new awards. **FY2026 funding:** Congress appropriated $8.75 billion, a modest 3.4% cut from FY2024 rather than the deep cuts proposed. **What you can apply for now:** The award freeze has been lifted. New grants are being processed under FY2026 funding. NSF merit review continues with the two standard criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts). As of April 2025, NSF renamed its "Broaden Participation" page to "Creating a STEM Workforce" with updated priorities. The overall success rate remains approximately 24%. See our NSF grants guide for program-specific details.
EPA: Two Programs Open, Billions Frozen
**What happened:** EPA was one of the hardest-hit agencies. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ($27 billion from the IRA) was first frozen by executive action, then had its statutory authority repealed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Approximately $14 billion remains frozen at Citibank. EPA also terminated 781 environmental justice grants across multiple programs. **Court battles:** A federal judge initially blocked the $14 billion GGRF freeze as arbitrary and capricious. A D.C. Circuit three-judge panel reversed on jurisdictional grounds in September 2025. The full D.C. Circuit granted en banc rehearing on December 17, 2025. **Oral arguments are scheduled for February 24, 2026** -- this is the most important upcoming date for clean energy financing. **FY2026 funding:** EPA's budget was cut approximately 23% to around $7 billion. The administration had proposed a 55% cut. **What you can apply for now:** Exactly two competitive EPA grants are accepting applications. Environmental justice programs are terminated. GGRF funds are frozen pending litigation. For organizations that had active EPA grants, check award status directly with your program officer. See our EPA grants guide and IRA clean energy guide for details.
Education: Programs Preserved, Staff Gutted
**What happened:** DOGE cancelled $350 million in Education Department contracts and grants in February 2025 alone, including 10 Regional Educational Laboratory contracts ($336 million), $33 million in Equity Assistance Center grants, approximately 100 teacher training grants, and 18 student support center grants. The FY2026 budget proposed eliminating TRIO, GEAR UP, and cutting the Institute of Education Sciences by 67%. **FY2026 funding:** Congress rejected the deep cuts. The final appropriations bill provides $79 billion in discretionary education funding, a $217 million increase from FY2025. Title I was largely preserved despite a proposed 26% cut. IDEA (special education) funding was maintained. Pell Grants remain at $7,395 maximum for 2026-27 and are expanding to cover short-term programs starting July 2026. **What you can apply for now:** Title I and IDEA formula grants are flowing. Pell Grants are operating normally. TRIO was not eliminated. However, significant staff reductions mean longer processing times for new grant applications and awards. The Education Department lost substantial grants management capacity during the DOGE period.
HHS/CDC: COVID Clawbacks and Backlogs
**What happened:** CDC clawed back $11.4 billion in COVID-19 pandemic funds from state and local health departments, including $8.9 billion from Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grants, $1 billion from SAMHSA mental health and substance use grants, and $2.1 billion from Immunization and Vaccines for Children grants. DOGE also froze billions in additional healthcare grants under a "Defend the Spend" review program, creating massive backlogs at HHS. **Court battles:** A federal judge temporarily blocked the $11 billion clawback after a coalition of states sued. **SAMHSA specifically:** On January 13, 2026, SAMHSA terminated approximately 2,800 grants totaling $2 billion. Funding was restored within days. Block grants, CCBHCs, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline funding, and State Opioid Response grants were not affected. **What you can apply for now:** HHS agencies are operational. We track 567 open HHS opportunities beyond NIH. HRSA community health grants, CDC domestic public health programs, SAMHSA behavioral health grants, ACF child welfare programs, and ACL aging services grants all have active application cycles. See our HHS grants guide for agency-by-agency details and open deadlines.
USDA: $2.5 Billion Cut, 20,000 Staff Gone
**What happened:** DOGE announced $2.5 billion in USDA grant terminations in April 2025. Over 20,000 USDA workers left through firings, buyouts, and attrition during 2025. DOGE cancelled a contract that enables farmer payments despite $0 in actual savings. The FY2026 budget proposed cutting USDA discretionary funding by approximately $4.6 billion, including $1 billion in research, $750 million in conservation technical assistance, and $721 million in Rural Development programs. **What you can apply for now:** USDA's largest programs are operating. The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program ($12 billion, deadline February 28, 2026) and Supplemental Disaster Relief Program ($30 billion, deadline April 30, 2026) are accepting applications through local FSA offices. Value-Added Producer Grants (deadline April 15), Specialty Crop Block Grants (state-dependent deadlines), and NRCS conservation programs (EQIP, CSP, new Regenerative Pilot) are all active. Staff reductions mean longer processing times. See our USDA grants guide for open programs and deadlines.
DOE: $7.5 Billion in Projects Terminated
**What happened:** DOE terminated 223 projects totaling $7.56 billion. The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations cancelled 24 projects worth $3.7 billion. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program was fully terminated (originally $7 billion for seven hubs). Two hubs -- ARCHES in California ($1.2 billion) and the Pacific Northwest Hub ($1 billion) -- were cut first. By October 2025, over 600 awards totaling $23 billion were on the chopping block. **What survived:** DOE's Loan Programs Office (now the Office of Energy Dominance Financing) retains over $400 billion in lending authority and has expanded scope to include fossil fuel and nuclear projects. Clean energy tax credits through the IRA were modified by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act but not eliminated entirely. Geothermal, battery storage, and carbon capture credits survived through 2033-2035. Solar and wind credits end for new projects starting construction after July 4, 2026. **FY2026 funding:** Congress provided $320 million for DOE wind and solar programs despite the administration requesting zero. The overall DOE budget was reduced but not gutted. **What you can apply for now:** The IIJA authorization expires September 2026 for most DOE programs. GRIP Round 3 grid grants ($2.9 billion) expected in spring 2026 will likely be the last major round. Loan programs are active with expanded eligibility. See our energy grants guide, IRA clean energy guide, and critical minerals guide.
AmeriCorps: Partially Restored by Court Order
**What happened:** DOGE ordered termination of $396.5 million in AmeriCorps grants (41% of total funding) on April 25, 2025. 1,031 grantees received termination notices, affecting 32,465 AmeriCorps participants. **Court battles:** Twenty-four states plus DC sued. Judge Deborah L. Boardman (D. Md.) ordered reinstatement of grants and corps members for the suing states. This order is currently in effect. **FY2026 budget:** The administration proposed eliminating AmeriCorps entirely. Congress has not adopted this proposal. **What you can apply for now:** AmeriCorps programs are partially operational in the 24 states that sued. Status in other states is uncertain. If your organization relies on AmeriCorps members, contact your state service commission for current availability.
What Is Actually Open Right Now
Grants.gov shows approximately 1,600 open opportunities in February 2026, down about 33% year-over-year. Here is the practical summary: **Operating normally:** - NIH new grant cycles (next R01 deadline: June 5, 2026) - NSF new awards (freeze lifted, proposals being processed) - FEMA preparedness grants (FY2026 NOFOs pending) - USDA major programs (Farmer Bridge, SDRP, VAPG, EQIP, CSP) - HHS non-NIH agencies (HRSA, CDC, SAMHSA, ACF, ACL) - Title I, IDEA, Pell Grants (education formula programs) - DOE loan programs (expanded eligibility) - EDA grants (Build to Scale, Disaster Supplemental) - Small business contracting programs (SBIR/STTR, set-asides) **Partially operational or court-ordered restoration:** - AmeriCorps (24 suing states only) - Some previously frozen HHS grants (restored after brief termination) **Not operating or permanently terminated:** - EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ($14B frozen, litigation pending February 24) - EPA Environmental Justice grants (781 grants terminated) - DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (program terminated) - DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (most awards terminated) **The bottom line:** If you are looking for federal funding, opportunities still exist across most major agencies. The total number of opportunities is reduced, competition is often higher because fewer grants are available, and processing times are longer due to staff reductions. But the system is functioning. Search open opportunities on Funding Landscape
Can States Backfill Federal Cuts?
The short answer is no, not at scale. California's SB 607 proposes a $23 billion bond measure for the November 2026 ballot to replace federal research funding in cancer, Alzheimer's, infectious diseases, and climate science. If approved by voters, funds would not flow until 2027 at the earliest. The UC system president warned that compensating for federal cuts would cost $4-5 billion per year. California itself expects $170.6 billion in federal funds annually (53% of total state revenue). New York's budget director stated plainly: "There is no state in the nation that has the resources to backfill these sweeping cuts." New York receives $91 billion from the federal government annually. Federal grants and assistance dropped $7.6 billion versus FY2024. No state has successfully backfilled federal cuts at scale. The amounts are simply too large relative to state budgets. For state-level funding alternatives, see our state guides for California, New York, Texas, and Florida.