Statistics on U.S. Science and Engineering /rss New releases and data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) en https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26323 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:10:14 EDT These data tables provide data on research and development (R&D) expenditures for federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). Expenditures data are displayed for individually named FFRDCs, by source of funding and type of R&D. Data are from the FY 2025 FFRDC Research and Development Survey, conducted by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26322 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:09:25 EDT Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) in the United States enable federal agencies to meet their research and development (R&D) needs through government-owned, contractor-operated research centers. These centers provide capabilities that cannot be met as effectively through other resources. The nation’s 41 FFRDCs spent $31.8 billion on R&D in FY 2025, an increase of 0.34% over FY 2024 in current dollars. These and the other statistics in this report come from the FY 2025 FFRDC Research and Development Survey, conducted by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26321 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:08:05 EDT The detailed tables in this report present data from the 2024 Annual Business Survey (ABS) (data year 2023). The ABS is the primary source of data on research and development of for-profit, nonfarm businesses with one to nine employees operating in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The ABS also collects data on innovation, technology, intellectual property, research activities at nonprofit organizations, financing, management practice, company information, and business owner characteristics of business of all sizes. The 2024 ABS is the seventh year of the ABS. The ABS is cosponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Census Bureau https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26324 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:07:13 EDT This InfoBrief presents research and development (R&D) data on microbusinesses, defined here as businesses with one to nine domestic employees. In 2023, microbusinesses reported a total of $8.3 billion in R&D costs, of which 86%, or $7.1 billion, was domestic and 72%, or $5.9 billion, was performed by the microbusinesses themselves. Data for this InfoBrief are from the Annual Business Survey (ABS), developed and cosponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation and by the Census Bureau. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26319 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:14:56 EDT In FY 2024, federal agency obligations to universities and colleges for science and engineering (S&E) activities decreased 4.3% from FY 2023 to nearly $47 billion. S&E activities include research and experimental development (R&D); R&D plant; facilities and equipment for instruction in S&E; S&E fellowships, traineeships, and training grants; and other general support for S&E. Estimates are from the FY 2024 Survey of Federal Science and Engineering Support module within the Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development, conducted by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26320 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 EDT These tables present the results of the FY 2024 Survey of Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions (now the Federal Science and Engineering Support module within the Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development). Data include science and engineering support by type of activity, as well as rankings by state, agency, and individual institution. This survey is the only source of comprehensive data on federal science and engineering funding to individual academic and nonprofit institutions. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26316 Mon, 04 May 2026 08:39:36 EDT This set of data tables presents data on the research and development (R&D) outlays and obligations of federal agencies. Outlays are provided by agency for total R&D and total R&D plant. Obligations are provided for R&D by agency for type of work (basic research, applied research, and experimental development), field of R&D (for basic research, applied research, and experimental development), type of performer, and geographic area. Obligations are provided for R&D plant by agency for type of performer and geographic area. These data, collected by the Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation, are the primary source of information about federal funding for R&D in the United States. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf26317 Mon, 04 May 2026 08:36:53 EDT Federal obligations for research and experimental development saw an increase of 4.4% from FY 2023 to FY 2024. However, although preliminary federal agency obligations for FY 2025 indicate most federal agencies will see declining R&D obligations in FY 2025 the total is estimated to decrease by 0.1%. These data are from the latest edition of the Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development, sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the U.S. National Science Foundation. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsbsep20261 Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 EDT The past quarter century has reshaped the U.S. science and engineering enterprise through the business sector’s dominant role in funding and performing research and development (R&D), the concentration of innovation activity in information technologies and critical and emerging technology areas, and the rise of China as a competitor and R&D performer. The United States maintains comparative advantages in highly cited research and patents, venture capital–backed innovation, and high-technology services, where U.S. firms dominate global production. U.S. universities remain top destinations for international postsecondary students. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20262 Fri, 01 May 2026 13:06:43 EDT Science, technology, and innovation activities expand the frontiers of fundamental and technical knowledge, often leading to new discoveries. These may be translated into outputs such as new products, licensed technologies, and companies, ultimately impacting economic output, productivity, and global trade. This thematic report presents indicators of these activities and the innovation process, which contribute to the economic competitiveness and national security of the United States and countries globally.