Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development
The Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development is the primary source of information about federal funding for R&D in the United States. The survey is an annual census completed by the federal agencies that conduct R&D programs. Actual data are collected for the fiscal year just completed; estimates are obtained for the current fiscal year.
Survey Description
Questionnaires
- Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2019–20
Data Tables | NSF 21-329 | May 12, 2021 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2013–15
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 15-324 | June 29, 2015 - Federal Funds for Research and Development FYs 2012–14
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 14-316 | September 30, 2014 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2011–13
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 14-312 | July 28, 2014 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2010–12
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 13-326 | July 8, 2013 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2009–11(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 12-318 | July 2, 2012 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2008–10(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 12-308 | April 18, 2012 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2007-09(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 10-305 | May 12, 2010 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2006–08(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 10-303 | October 15, 2009 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2005–07(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 09-300 | November 14, 2008 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2004-06(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 07-323 | June 1, 2007 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2003-05(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 06-313 | May 12, 2006 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2002, 2003, and 2004(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 05-307 | April 12, 2005 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1970-2003; Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-335 | August 12, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1973-2003; Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-332 | August 11, 2004 - Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1970-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-313 | April 30, 2004 - Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1973-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-314 | April 30, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2001, 2002, and 2003(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-310 | April 20, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 03-325 | August 14, 2003 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2000, 2001, and 2002, Volume 50(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 02-321 | July 16, 2002 - Federal Funds for R&D: Detailed Historical Tables: FYs 1951-2001(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-334 | July 31, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1999, 2000, and 2001, Volume 49(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-328 | July 11, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D, FYs 1970-2001, Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-333 | July 1, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1973-2001(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-331 | July 1, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D, Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E, FYs 1973-2000(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-307 | December 14, 2000 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1977-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 00-402 | July 1, 2000 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1998, 1999 and 2000, Volume 48(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 00-317 | June 23, 2000 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1974-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 00-401 | October 19, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 99-401 | October 4, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-347 | June 8, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1970-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-345 | June 2, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1973-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-346 | June 1, 1999 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1997, 1998, and 1999, Volume 47(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-333 | March 23, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1970-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-326 | January 1, 1999 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1996, 1997, and 1998, Volume 46(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-332 | December 1, 1998 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-328 | August 1, 1998 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1973-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-327 | August 1, 1998 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1994, 1995, and 1996, Volume 44(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 97-302 | May 1, 1997 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1995, 1996, and 1997, Volume 45(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 97-327 | February 6, 1997 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1993, 1994, and 1995, Volume 43(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 95-334 | June 1, 1995 - Selected Data on Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1992, 1993, and 1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 95-405 | January 1, 1995 - Federal Funds for R&D Detailed Historical Tables: FYs 1956-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-331 | November 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1992, 1993, and 1994, Volume 42(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-328 | April 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1971-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-332 | January 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1975-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-330 | January 1, 1994 - See more in Federal Funds for R&D →
- Science and Engineering State Profiles
- State Profiles is an interactive website providing access to state-level data on science and engineering (S&E) personnel and finances and state rankings. State Profiles displays up to 7 state profiles of the user’s choice. Data are available from surveys sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the National Science Foundation on employed science, engineering, or health (SEH) doctorate holders; S&E doctorates awarded, including by major S&E fields; SEH graduate students and postdoctorates; federal research and development obligations by agency and performer; state government agency R&D expenditures; total and business R&D performance; and higher education R&D performance, including by major S&E fields. Data available from other sources include population, civilian labor force, per capita personal income, federal expenditures, patents, small business innovation research awards, and gross domestic product. All data are available for download. Data cover 2003 to present.
Because of the time it takes to produce and post the Science and Engineering State Profiles data set, some source data may have been updated since these profiles were created. See the source data for the most up-to-date information.
(A): Archived Publication
- Federal R&D Obligations Increased 10% in 2019; Largest Year-to-Year Change Since 2009
InfoBriefs | NSF 21-328 | April 28, 2021 - Statistical Definition of Development Clarified: Effect on Reported Federal R&D Totals
InfoBriefs | NSF 21-326 | April 16, 2021 - Federal R&D Obligations Increase 8.8% in FY 2018; Preliminary FY 2019 R&D Obligations Increase 9.3% Over FY 2018
InfoBriefs | NSF 20-308 | January 30, 2020 - Federal R&D Obligations Increase an Estimated 2.7% in FY 2018
InfoBriefs | NSF 19-321 | June 17, 2019 - Federal R&D Obligations Increase 3% in FY 2017: Research Obligations Decrease Slightly While Those for Development Increase 7%
InfoBriefs | NSF 18-311 | July 30, 2018 - Total Federal Research and Development Funding Down 1% in FY 2015, but Funding for Research Up 1%
InfoBriefs | NSF 17-316 | March 21, 2017 - Federal Funding for Research Increases by 6% in FY 2014; Total Federal R&D Up 4%
InfoBriefs | NSF 16-311 | April 20, 2016 - Federal Funding for Basic Research at Universities and Colleges Essentially Unchanged in FY 2012
InfoBriefs | NSF 14-318 | September 4, 2014 - Federal Research and Development and R&D Plant Funding Drop by 9% in FY 2013
InfoBriefs | NSF 15-322 | May 14, 2015 - Federal Research and Development and R&D Plant Obligations Show Modest Growth in FY 2010
InfoBriefs | NSF 13-317 | March 26, 2013 - ARRA Increased Federal Research and Development and R&D Plant Obligations by $19.2 Billion for FY 2009–10(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 12-314 | April 30, 2012 - Federal Funding of Basic and Applied Research Increases in FY 2009(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 11-324 | July 26, 2011 - Department of the Air Force Revises Development Data for FY 2000–07(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 11-304 | January 3, 2011 - FY 2008 Data Show Downward Trend in Federal R&D Funding(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 09-309 | February 4, 2009 - Federal Agencies Supported R&D Growth over the Period FY 1994-2004(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 07-302 | December 18, 2006 - Federal Support for R&D and R&D Plant Projected at $110 Billion in FY 2005(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 06-300 | November 17, 2005 - Federal Obligations for R&D and R&D Plant Expected to Reach Over $105 Billion in FY 2004(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 04-331 | July 29, 2004 - Federal Funding for R&D and R&D Plant Continues to Grow in the 21st Century(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 03-321 | June 20, 2003 - Changing Composition of Federal Funding for R&D and R&D Plant Since 1990(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 02-315 | April 18, 2002 - Classification Revisions Reduce Reported Federal Development Obligations(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 02-309 | February 28, 2002 - FY 2001 Department of Defense Share of Federal R&D Funding Falls to Lowest Level in 22 Years(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 01-319 | February 26, 2001 - Sixth Year of Unprecedented R&D Growth Expected in 2000(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 01-310 | November 29, 2000 - Federal Survey Shows Defense Funding of Industry Is Largest Share of Federal R&D in FY 2000(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 00-309 | February 1, 2000 - Federal Funding Supports Moderate Growth for Basic Research in the 1990's(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 99-319 | January 7, 1999 - Federal Obligations for Applied Research Keep Pace with Those for Basic Research(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 98-309 | April 27, 1998 - Federal Basic Research Share Grows During a Period of Declining R&D(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 97-308 | May 15, 1997 - Federal Funding for R&D and R&D Plant to Drop in FY 1996; Department of Defense Survey Data Expanded(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 96-306 | June 18, 1996 - Small Decrease in Federal Funding for R&D and R&D plant Expected in FY 1995(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 95-315 | May 25, 1995 - Federal Funding for R&D and for R&D Plant Expected to Decrease in FY 1994(A)
InfoBriefs | NSF 94-309 | June 1, 1994 - See more in Federal Funds for R&D →
- Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2013–15
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 15-324 | June 29, 2015 - Federal Funds for Research and Development FYs 2012–14
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 14-316 | September 30, 2014 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2011–13
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 14-312 | July 28, 2014 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2010–12
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 13-326 | July 8, 2013 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2009–11(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 12-318 | July 2, 2012 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2008–10(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 12-308 | April 18, 2012 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2007-09(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 10-305 | May 12, 2010 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2006–08(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 10-303 | October 15, 2009 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2005–07(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 09-300 | November 14, 2008 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2004-06(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 07-323 | June 1, 2007 - Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 2003-05(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 06-313 | May 12, 2006 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2002, 2003, and 2004(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 05-307 | April 12, 2005 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1970-2003; Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-335 | August 12, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1973-2003; Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-332 | August 11, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2001, 2002, and 2003(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-310 | April 20, 2004 - Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1970-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-313 | April 30, 2004 - Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1973-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 04-314 | April 30, 2004 - Federal Funds for R&D, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-2002(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 03-325 | August 14, 2003 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 2000, 2001, and 2002, Volume 50(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 02-321 | July 16, 2002 - Federal Funds for R&D: Detailed Historical Tables: FYs 1951-2001(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-334 | July 31, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1999, 2000, and 2001, Volume 49(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-328 | July 11, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D, FYs 1970-2001, Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-333 | July 1, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1973-2001(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-331 | July 1, 2001 - Federal Funds for R&D, Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E, FYs 1973-2000(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 01-307 | December 14, 2000 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1998, 1999 and 2000, Volume 48(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 00-317 | June 23, 2000 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-347 | June 8, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1970-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-345 | June 2, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1973-99(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-346 | June 1, 1999 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1997, 1998, and 1999, Volume 47(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 99-333 | March 23, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1970-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-326 | January 1, 1999 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1996, 1997, and 1998, Volume 46(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-332 | December 1, 1998 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-328 | August 1, 1998 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1973-98(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 98-327 | August 1, 1998 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research to Universities and Colleges Historical Tables, FYs 1977-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 00-402 | July 1, 2000 - Federal Funds Survey, Fields of S&E Research Historical Tables, FYs 1974-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 00-401 | October 19, 1999 - Federal Funds Survey, Detailed Historical Tables, FYs 1951-97(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 99-401 | October 4, 1999 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1995, 1996, and 1997, Volume 45(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 97-327 | February 6, 1997 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1994, 1995, and 1996, Volume 44(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 97-302 | May 1, 1997 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1993, 1994, and 1995, Volume 43(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 95-334 | June 1, 1995 - Selected Data on Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1992, 1993, and 1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | SRS 95-405 | January 1, 1995 - Federal Funds for R&D Detailed Historical Tables: FYs 1956-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-331 | November 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: FYs 1992, 1993, and 1994, Volume 42(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-328 | April 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1971-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-332 | January 1, 1994 - Federal Funds for R&D: Federal Obligations for Research to Universities and Colleges by Agency and Detailed Field of S&E: FYs 1975-1994(A)
Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 94-330 | January 1, 1994 - See more in Federal Funds for R&D →
- Growth in Federal Research Obligations for Life Sciences Between 1970 and 2020
Other | NCSES 21-200 | June 10, 2021 - Definitions of Research and Development: An Annotated Compilation of Official Sources(A)
Other | SRS 06-914 | June 1, 2006 - See more in Federal Funds for R&D →
- Publications Output: U.S. Trends and International Comparisons
Special Reports | NSB 2021-4 | October 28, 2021 - The STEM Labor Force of Today: Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers
Special Reports | NSB 2021-2 | August 31, 2021 - See more in Federal Funds for R&D →
(A): Archived Publication
- Definitions of Research and Development
- This special publication provides definitions of research and development (R&D) from several official U.S. and international organizations. The document is designed as a reference for researchers and other users of data on R&D expenditures. In addition to definitions from National Science Foundation (NSF) surveys on R&D expenditures, the document includes definitions from regulatory, Federal procurement, and accounting sources. International sources include manuals from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the System of National Accounts.
- Master Government List of Federally Funded R&D Centers
- This series presents the master government list of federally funded research and development centers. The most recent Master Government List of FFRDCs can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/.
- National Patterns of R&D Resources
- This series presents trend data on the overall research and development effort in the United States. Information includes R&D expenditures by sector of performance, source of funds, character of R&D work, R&D-to-GDP ratios, and international comparisons.
- Science and Engineering Indicators
- This biennial report to Congress provides a broad base of quantitative information about U.S. science, engineering, and technology.
- Science and Engineering State Profiles
- State Profiles is an interactive website providing access to state-level data on science and engineering (S&E) personnel and finances and state rankings. State Profiles displays up to 7 state profiles of the user’s choice. Data are available from surveys sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the National Science Foundation on employed science, engineering, or health (SEH) doctorate holders; S&E doctorates awarded, including by major S&E fields; SEH graduate students and postdoctorates; federal research and development obligations by agency and performer; state government agency R&D expenditures; total and business R&D performance; and higher education R&D performance, including by major S&E fields. Data available from other sources include population, civilian labor force, per capita personal income, federal expenditures, patents, small business innovation research awards, and gross domestic product. All data are available for download. Data cover 2003 to present.
Because of the time it takes to produce and post the Science and Engineering State Profiles data set, some source data may have been updated since these profiles were created. See the source data for the most up-to-date information.
Christopher Pece
Survey Manager
Research and Development Statistics Program
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
(703) 292-7788
Last Updated: April 2021