Federal Spending Report — Week of 2026-08-30
Federal Spending Report: August 30 – September 5, 2026
The federal government obligated $6.7 million across 36 awards during the week of August 30 through September 5, 2026, with the National Science Foundation and Department of Agriculture leading the distribution. Grants dominated the spending activity, accounting for $6.5 million of the total, while a single direct payment of $236,000 rounded out the obligations across five agencies and 26 unique contractors.
University research captured the lion's share of federal investment during the reporting period. Mississippi State University secured the largest single award at $798,000 from the National Science Foundation, followed by the University of Washington with a $735,000 NSF grant. The Department of Agriculture's largest commitment went to the University of Miami at $600,000, while the University of Vermont received $596,000 from NSF and Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey captured $546,000 from the same agency.
The University of Washington emerged as the top contractor by total obligation, receiving $1.1 million across two awards. Redacted entities accounting for proprietary or personally identifiable information received $740,000 distributed among nine separate awards—the highest frequency of any contractor during the period. The University of Miami and University of Vermont followed with $655,000 and $596,000 respectively.
The National Science Foundation dominated agency activity with $4.8 million obligated across 12 awards, underscoring the week's research focus. The Department of Agriculture allocated $1.2 million through 13 awards, reflecting a broader distribution strategy despite lower per-award amounts. The Department of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and National Endowment for the Humanities collectively accounted for $749,000 across 11 awards.
Geographic distribution remained concentrated in research hubs. Washington state led with $1.1 million, while New Jersey received $883,000 across four awards—primarily directed to Stevens Institute of Technology. Mississippi, Vermont, and Florida each secured between $600,000 and $800,000, indicating sustained federal investment in university-based research across multiple regions. The 99% composition of grant funding reflects the week's emphasis on research and development initiatives rather than direct services or infrastructure spending.