That's really good to know, thank you. Would you be able to save me some time and point me to where that is in the text?
In this case, does the "no longer than the current fiscal year" bit not apply?
You mean in the text of the 1974 ICA? I could try to find it, sure. I just know that PotUS can't cancel the funding, only withhold it, which necessarily implies that it's temporary, and must justify the withholding, which suggests that it's conditional. Not sure that it must be. I'll hit the act and edit the post with chapter and verse, if it exists.
edit---
I suppose the closest part would be this bit:
(1) Whenever the Executive branch has determined to curtail any program the President shall transmit to both Houses of Congress a special proposal specifying--
(A) the program proposed to be curtailed;
(B) the department or establishment of the Government which is responsible for implementing the program;
(C) the reasons why the program should be curtailed;
(D) to the maximum extent practicable, the estimated fiscal, economic, and budgetary effects of the proposal; and
(E) all facts, circumstances, and considerations relating to or bearing upon the proposal, and to the maximum extent practicable, the estimated effect of the proposal upon the purposes which the program was to accomplish.
So there must be some stated justification, even if it's terrible or nonsense, and there can be considerations which could include conditionals.
The deferment of payment does need to be time limited, like you're talking about in the second part, so I'm not sure if this would be considered impoundment at all.
Afict, Impounding only applies to funds which are explicitly allocated by congress to a listed payee. So, if there is a general education/research funding bill, funds could be allocated or not, discretionally. This is what I was thinking about WRT federal highway funding. So unless congress passed a bill saying "we will pay Harvard x dollars" then any funding they would otherwise receive, they aren't in any way entitled to. And if such a bill exists, the president can delay delay delay, but not past the fiscal year, as you point out. Rescinding the funding would take an act of congress.
