National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics | NSF 26-309 Table 2. Distribution of federal budget authority for R&D and R&D plant, by budget function, ordered by FY 2024 R&D and R&D plant total: FYs 2024–26 (Percent distribution) Budget function 2024 actual 2025 preliminarya 2026 proposed R&D and R&D plant 100.0 100.0 100.0 National defense 53.0 51.3 60.8 Health 23.7 24.7 19.6 General science and basic research 7.9 7.8 6.6 Space flight, research, and supporting activities 5.1 5.6 4.4 Energy 3.1 3.2 1.3 Natural resources and environment 1.3 1.2 1.7 Agriculture 1.6 1.7 0.9 Commerce and housing credit 0.9 1.0 1.2 Transportation 1.5 1.5 1.6 Veterans benefits and services 1.1 1.2 1.2 Education, training, employment, and social services 0.4 0.4 0.3 Administration of justice 0.2 0.2 0.3 International affairs 0.1 0.1 0.2 Income security 0.0 0.0 0.0 Community and regional development 0.0 0.0 0.1 Medicare 0.0 0.0 0.0 R&D 100.0 100.0 100.0 National defense 52.5 51.2 60.7 Health 25.0 25.8 19.5 General science and basic research 7.5 7.6 6.3 Space flight, research, and supporting activities 5.6 6.0 4.9 Energy 3.3 3.4 1.4 Natural resources and environment 1.4 1.2 1.8 Agriculture 0.3 0.3 0.3 Commerce and housing credit 1.0 1.0 1.4 Transportation 1.5 1.5 1.7 Veterans benefits and services 1.2 1.2 1.3 Education, training, employment, and social services 0.4 0.4 0.3 Administration of justice 0.2 0.2 0.2 International affairs 0.1 0.1 0.1 Income security 0.0 0.0 0.0 Community and regional development 0.1 0.1 0.1 Medicare 0.0 0.0 0.0 R&D plant 100.0 100.0 100.0 National defense 58.1 52.9 61.5 Health 9.4 10.7 19.7 General science and basic research 11.8 10.4 9.2 Space flight, research, and supporting activities 0.4 0.4 0.3 Energy 0.9 0.8 0.3 Natural resources and environment 0.9 0.9 0.7 Agriculture 16.0 20.2 5.9 Commerce and housing credit 0.0 0.0 0.0 Transportation 1.4 1.7 1.0 Veterans benefits and services 0.3 0.6 0.5 Education, training, employment, and social services 0.2 0.3 0.1 Administration of justice 0.4 0.5 0.4 International affairs 0.3 0.7 0.3 Income security 0.0 0.0 0.0 Community and regional development 0.0 0.0 0.0 Medicare 0.0 0.0 0.0
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics | NSF 26-309 a The preliminary data available from the agencies for FY 2025 at the time of this report reflect mainly the annualized continuing resolution funding levels that existed through early March 2025, which were later extended by a continuing resolution to the end of FY 2025. Note(s): Detail may not add to total because of rounding. Source(s): Agencies' submissions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) per MAX Schedule C, agencies' budget justification documents, supplemental data obtained from agencies' budget offices, and Executive Office of the President, OMB, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2026.