Government Funding for Science and Engineering

Explore federal and state government research and development (R&D) funding data and trends. Topics include type of R&D work performed (basic research, applied research, and experimental development), performer of the work, funding to individual higher education institutions and nonprofits, field of R&D research, place of performance, and budget R&D function, such as defense, health, and energy.

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Federal Budget Authority for R&D

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Government Funding for Science and Engineering Topics

R&D Funding by Government

Federal Government/Agency R&D

State Government/Agency R&D

R&D Funding by Government

Research & Development (R&D) Activity

Federal Government/Agency R&D

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) R&D

State Government/Agency R&D

Type of R&D (basic, applied, experimental development)

R&D Publications & Articles

R&D Funding Received & Spent

Federal Government/Agency R&D

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) R&D

R&D Funding Source

State Government/Agency R&D

Business R&D

Nonprofit R&D

R&D Funding Agreement (contract, grant, reimbursement, etc.)

R&D Capital Expenditures

R&D Cost Type

Current Topics

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

Location

By State or Region

By Country

Colleges and Universities

Institutions

Minorities in Higher Education

Fields of Study

Fields of Study

Since the 1950s, Federal R&D Funding Has Shifted from Development to Research.

Analysis

Since the 1950s, Federal R&D Funding Has Shifted from Development to Research

June 18, 2025

In FY 2023, Federal Science and Engineering Support for Higher Education Totaled $49 Billion; Federal R&D to Nonprofits Totaled $12 Billion.

Analysis

In FY 2023, Federal Science and Engineering Support for Higher Education Totaled $49 Billion; Federal R&D to Nonprofits Totaled $12 Billion

June 2, 2025

Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions: Fiscal Year 2023.

Data

Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions: Fiscal Year 2023

June 2, 2025

Data Highlights

Adjusted to constant 2017 dollars, the FY 2025 proposed budget authority for R&D declined $7 billion from the $158 billion in actual budget authority for FY 2023

Figure 1. Adjusted to constant 2017 dollars, the FY 2025 proposed budget authority for R&D declined $7 billion from the $158 billion in actual budget authority for FY 2023)

The decrease is mainly caused by a reduction in R&D funding for National defense

43%

Health-related R&D expenditures continued to account for the largest share (43%) of state agencies' R&D in FY 2023

1,110

Number of U.S. higher education institutions that received federal agency obligations for science and engineering support in FY 2023

The five largest federal agencies by R&D obligations accounted for 93% ($173.8 billion) of the total federal-wide R&D portfolio in FY 2023

Figure 2. The five largest federal agencies by R&D obligations accounted for 93% ($173.8 billion) of the total federal-wide R&D portfolio in FY 2023

This includes DOD ($85.9B), HHS ($52.5B), DOE ($16.1B), NASA ($11.7B) and NSF ($7.5B)