Federal R&D outlays, share of GDP

Why this row

Federal outlays for the conduct of research were 0.6% of GDP in FY2025 against 2.1% in FY1964. The National Science Foundation received $8.826 billion in FY2025, about half of what the CHIPS and Science Act authorized for that year, and has since issued roughly half as many awards as at the same point the year before. The row doubles federal research to 1.2% of GDP, which is 57% of the 1964 level. It is binding on Congress because appropriations are the whole mechanism.

The path

linear; 1.2% is 57% of the FY1964 level

Each July 4 the row shows its baseline, this path, the latest official value and a status of ahead, on schedule or behind. As a binding row it also links the decisions by Congress that moved the number during the year.