Sponsors (3)
The bill directs sustained federal funding to boost plant and microbial biology research with likely benefits for researchers, agriculture, and food-security innovation, while increasing federal spending, creating competitive pressures for private firms, and introducing a drafting error that could cause eligibility uncertainty for nonprofit applicants.
Researchers, university labs, and students receive sustained funding ($150M/year for FY2026–2031) to support plant and microbial biology research, increasing research opportunities and training.
Farmers and food-sector businesses stand to gain new tools, technologies, and innovations developed from program-funded research, which could raise productivity and create economic opportunities in rural communities.
The bill expands national research capacity in plant and microbial biology, strengthening long-term biotechnology innovation and resilience for U.S. food security.
All taxpayers face higher recurring federal spending because the program authorizes $150M per year through FY2031, which could require higher taxes or crowd out other budget priorities.
Small private-sector biotechnology and agri-tech companies may face stiffer competition for talent, partnerships, and resources as federal funds subsidize academic and nonprofit research efforts.
Nonprofits and grant applicants could be left with legal uncertainty because the statutory definition of 'nonprofit organization' references an Internal Revenue Code provision incorrectly (a repeal reference), creating potential eligibility ambiguity until corrected.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Establishes an NSF competitive grant program for plant & microbial biology and authorizes $150M/year for FY2026–2031.
Official title: To amend the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to provide for grants to support plant and microbial biology research with potential relevance to agriculture, food, or biotechnology, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 16, 2026 by Josh Riley · Last progress March 16, 2026
Creates a new competitive, merit-reviewed grant program at the National Science Foundation to fund plant and microbial biology research relevant to agriculture, food, and biotechnology, including fundamental plant biology and enabling tools and resources. The bill authorizes $150 million per year for the program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 and adds a statutory definition of “nonprofit organization.” The program will be administered by NSF under its existing authorization framework and is intended to support researchers, universities, nonprofits, and private-sector partners working on plant biology and related technologies that could improve agricultural productivity, food systems, and biotechnology innovation.