New Report on Decline in Federal Support for Research

Posted by on September 22, 2008

National Science Foundation (NSF) Reports Unprecedented Decline in Federal Support for Research

NSF has issued a report indicating that federal funding for scientific research and development (R&D) at academic institutions has declined for the second consecutive year, after adjusting for inflation. According to the report, this is the only instance since 1972 in which federal support of academic R&D has failed to keep pace with inflation for two years running. According to NSF, federally funded academic R&D expenditures measured $30.4 billion in fiscal year 2007. After adjusting for inflation, this represents a 1.6 percent decline from 2006 and a 0.2 percent decline from 2005.  Overall, university R&D rose by 0.8 percent due to other sources of support, including institutions’ own funds. The federal government provides the largest share (62 percent in 2007) of support for university research.  Medical and biological sciences continue to make up more than half of all federal research expenditures, predominantly performed at U.S. medical schools. Information: Go to http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08320/