Higher Education Research and Development

Explore research and development (R&D) data and trends at U.S. higher education institutions. Topics include field of research, source of funds, type of research, headcounts of R&D personnel, medical schools, and amount and cost of research infrastructure space, including construction, repair, and renovation.

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U.S. R&D Investments

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Higher Education Research and Development Topics

Research & Development (R&D) Activity

Higher Education R&D

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

Clinical Trials and Medical Projects

Federal Government/Agency R&D

Business R&D

R&D Intensity

State Government/Agency R&D

R&D Funding Received & Spent

Higher Education R&D

Business R&D

Nonprofit R&D

Federal Government/Agency R&D

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

State Government/Agency R&D

R&D Capital Expenditures

R&D Cost Type

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

R&D Funding Source

Colleges and Universities

Institutions

R&D Facilities

Amount of Research Space

New Construction

Repairs and Renovations

People: Workforce

Employment Sector

Employment Status

Faculty Rank, Tenure Status

Income and Salary

Occupation

Work Activity

Location

By State or Region

By Country

Current Topics

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

R&D Funding by Government

Federal Government/Agency R&D

R&D Funding by Government

State Government/Agency R&D

Discovery: R&D Activity and Research Publications.

Report

Discovery: R&D Activity and Research Publications

July 23, 2025

Since the 1950s, Over Half of R&D Expenditures at U.S. Colleges and Universities Have Been Funded by the Federal Government.

Analysis

Since the 1950s, Over Half of R&D Expenditures at U.S. Colleges and Universities Have Been Funded by the Federal Government

July 10, 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

Data Highlights

In current dollars, higher education research and development (R&D) grew at an average annual rate of 4.0% since FY 2012

Figure 1. In current dollars, higher education research and development (R&D) grew at an average annual rate of 4.0% since FY 2012)

However, in constant dollars, the average annual growth rate of R&D was 1.6%

$97.8B

R&D spending by academic institutions in FY 2022 totaled $97.8 billion in current dollars, an increase of $8.0 billion from FY 2021

1,089

Number of U.S. higher education institutions that received federal agency obligations for science and engineering support in FY 2022

Total research space in FY 2021 was up 9.2 million net assignable square feet from FY 2019

Figure 1. Total research space in FY 2021 was up 9.2 million net assignable square feet from FY 2019

This represents an increase of 4.1% between FY 2019 and FY 2021