This CRS report was coordinated by Laurie A. Harris with eleven authors: Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2023. It was produced on 10 June 2022 so it escaped my attention until today.
Download CRS_Report_Federal_R&D_Funding_FY2023_10June_2022
Summary
The U.S. government supports a broad range of scientific and engineering research and development (R&D). Its purposes include addressing national defense, health, safety, the environment, and energy security; advancing knowledge generally; developing the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce; strengthening the capacity of U.S. institutions and firms to conduct cutting-edge scientific research and develop innovative technologies; and enhancing the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy. Most of the R&D funded by the federal government is performed in support of the unique missions of individual funding agencies.President Biden’s budget request for FY2023 includes approximately $204.9 billion for R&D, $45.3 billion (28%) above the FY2021 estimated level of $159.6 billion. In constant FY2023 dollars (estimated), the FY2023 R&D request represents an increase of $41.8 billion (26%) above the FY2022 estimated level.
Funding for R&D is concentrated in a few federal departments and agencies. In FY2022, six agencies received nearly 95% of total federal R&D funding, with the Department of Defense (DOD, 41%) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, 26%) combined accounting for more than two-thirds of all federal R&D funding. In the FY2023 request, the top six R&D agencies would account for just over 95%, with DOD accounting for 41% and HHS for 30%.
Under the President’s FY2023 budget request, nearly all federal agencies would see their R&D funding increase relative to FY2022. The only exceptions are the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which would decrease by $67 million (9%) in FY2023 to $681 million, and the Department of Education (ED), which would decrease by $3 million (1%) in FY2023 to $402 million. The largest dollar increases in R&D funding would be for HHS (up $19.8 billion, 47%), DOD (up $18.1 billion, 28%), the Department of Energy (up $2.7 billion, 13%), and the National Science Foundation (up $1.4 billion, 20%). The largest percentage increases in R&D funding would be at HHS (up 47%), DOD (up 28%), and the Department of the Interior (up 28%).
The President’s FY2023 budget request would increase funding for basic research by $13.9 billion (33%), applied research by $11.7 billion (28%), development by $19.1 billion (27%), and R&D facilities and equipment by $563 million (13%).
Several multiagency R&D initiatives continue under the President’s FY2023 budget request. Some activities supporting these initiatives are discussed in agency budget justifications. However, comprehensive aggregate budget information on these initiatives will likely not be available until budget supplements for each are released later in the year.
The request represents the President’s R&D priorities. Congress may opt to agree with none, part, or all of the request, and it may express different priorities through the appropriations process. Congress provides annual R&D appropriations through 9 of the 12 regular appropriations bills.
In recent years, Congress has completed the annual appropriations process after the start of the fiscal year. Completing the process after the start of the fiscal year and the accompanying use of continuing resolutions can affect agencies’ execution of their R&D budgets, including the delay or cancellation of planned R&D activities and acquisition of R&D-related equipment.
Lots of material left to absorb.
Enjoy!
“Balancing the budget is like going to heaven. Everybody wants to do it, but nobody wants to do what you have to do to get there.”
– Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX)
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