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Discover research and development trends in government, industry, higher education, and federal research centers.

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Summary

This collection 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.

Areas of Interest

Data Highlights

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The ratio of U.S. R&D to GDP is estimated to remain at 3.40% in 2021.
Figure 2

When this ratio previously peaked in 1964, federally funded R&D was 1.86% of GDP. In 2021, R&D funded by the federal government was 0.66% of GDP and business funding for R&D was 2.52% of GDP.

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$792B

U.S. R&D estimated to increase to $792 billion in 2021; the business sector leads by performing 76% of R&D

4.1%

Adjusted for inflation, growth in U.S. total R&D averaged 4.1% annually over the 2010–20 period

The share of U.S. basic research funded by business has increased.
Figure 2

The share of U.S. basic research funded by business has increased from 22.8% to 34.2% over 2010–20.

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Data Collection Contact

For additional information about this data collection, or the methodology, contact:

Gary Anderson
Acting Program Director
Phone
(703) 292-8572
Email
ganderso@nsf.gov
Address
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W14200
Alexandria, VA 22314