How much federal funding is directed to research in psychology?

• In all, 3.2 percent of the nation's $66.2 billion in federal research funding went to psychological research in 2016^1,2 (approximately $2.1 billion).
• Almost half of federal research dollars were directed to the life sciences ($31.9 billion).
• Psychology research funding increased by 2.5 percent from 2014 to 2015 and 1.7 percent from 2015 to 2016. During the same period, federal research funding in all fields increased by 0.8 percent from 2014 to 2015 and 4.3 percent from 2015 to 2016.
• In 2014, the National Institutes of Health was the largest funder of research ($29.4 billion), with about 6.1 percent ($1.8 billion) of federal funds directed to psychology research. Much smaller amounts were directed to psychology at the Department of Veterans Affairs ($63 million), Department of Defense ($42 million) and National Science Foundation ($35 million).
• Funding for basic ($1.0 billion) and applied ($930 million) research³ in psychology were roughly equal.
• Most psychology research funding was used at universities and colleges ($1.2 billion).

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¹National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Federal Funds for Research and Development, FYs 2014–16. Tables 2, 20, 28, 42, 56, and 74. Retrieved from https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/fedfunds/2014opens in new window. Research funding represents obligations, which are "the amounts for orders placed, contracts awarded, services received, and similar transactions during a given period, regardless of when funds were appropriated and when future payment of money is required." Federal funding amounts may not sum to the total due to rounding. The use of NSF data does not imply NSF endorsement of the research, research methods or conclusions contained in this report.

²2015 and 2016 data are preliminary.

³Basic research is "systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward processes or products in mind." Applied research is "systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met."