Trends

University research and development spending from FY 2012 to FY 2024, nationally or split by group. Pick a measure, then choose how to slice it.

Measure Split by Show as Show projection to FY 2029

Loading the database in your browser…

Workload up, resources down

Federal research requirements keep accumulating, while the share of indirect costs universities recover for each dollar of direct research has fallen.

Sources: COGR, Changes in Federal Research Requirements Since 1991, Figure 1 (updated January 2025), data labels entered by hand. NCSES, HERD Survey FY 2024 data tables (NSF 26-304), Table 12, standard-form institutions. Recovery figures are national only; NCSES does not release them by institution.