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                    Issue Summary
    Federal investments in research and development (R&D) are necessary to help drive emerging technologies that will power future industries, spur innovation across the economy, and sustain the United States’ global leadership in science and technology.

Since the 1950s, the federal government has spent an increasing amount of money on R&D, reaching about $179.5 billion in FY 2021. Federal R&D funding has increased since 2012—most recently because of COVID-19 stimulus funding. In FY 2021, over 30 federal agencies supported R&D in the United States.

Federal research oversight is needed to ensure these funds are being used effectively, and the federal government could improve its oversight of federal research and development in many ways.

For instance:

Public access to the results of federally funded research can accelerate scientific breakthroughs. In 2013, certain federal agencies were directed to create plans for increasing public access to publications and data they funded. However, not all agencies have fully implemented these plans.
	Federal guidance on scientific integrity includes principles that ensure the open exchange of information and prevent the distortion of research findings for political or other reasons. However, some federal agencies have not incorporated these principles into their policies.
	Federal agencies must enforce Title IX—which prohibits sex discrimination—at universities receiving federal financial assistance. However, some federal agencies that provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research grants to universities have not yet developed an overall planto evaluate efforts to prevent sex discrimination.
	Since 1982, federal agencies have given $46 billion to small businesses to help them develop and market new technologies (such as robotic vacuum cleaners and personal genetic testing kits). Businesses apply for these awards, and agencies aim to make awards within 180 days after the application deadline. However, many of these awards have not been made on time for a variety of reasons, such as heavy workloads for contract officers and slow responses from small businesses to requests for information.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds construction of large science and engineering infrastructure projects, like telescopes and observatories, which can take years to build and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. NSF has taken steps to improve project management capabilities for its large facilities projects, and the agency continues to make efforts to address opportunities to improve project management.Image
              Federal Research Oversight

  Recent Reports
          Federal Research and Development: Funding Has Grown since 2012 and Is Concentrated within a Few AgenciesGAO-23-105396
      
	Published:  Dec 15, 2022


	Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2022
                        Federal Research: Information on Funding for U.S.-China Research Collaboration and Other International ActivitiesGAO-22-105313
      
	Published:  Sep 29, 2022


	Publicly Released: Sep 29, 2022
                        National Science Foundation: Better Reporting Could Give More Visibility into Gains in States' Research CompetitivenessGAO-22-105043
      
	Published:  Aug 11, 2022


	Publicly Released: Aug 11, 2022
                        Research Reliability: Federal Actions Needed to Promote Stronger Research PracticesGAO-22-104411
      
	Published:  Jul 28, 2022


	Publicly Released: Jul 28, 2022
                        Scientific Integrity: HHS Agencies Need to Develop Procedures and Train Staff on Reporting and Addressing Political InterferenceGAO-22-105885
      
	Published:  Apr 29, 2022


	Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2022
                        National Science Foundation: Cost and Schedule Performance of Major Facilities Construction Projects and Progress on Prior GAO RecommendationsGAO-20-268
      
	Published:  Apr 03, 2020


	Publicly Released: Apr 03, 2020
                        Sexual Harassment in STEM Research: Agencies Have Taken Actions, but Need Complaint Procedures, Overall Plans, and Better CollaborationGAO-20-187
      
	Published:  Mar 19, 2020


	Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2020
                        Federal Research: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Public Access to Research ResultsGAO-20-81
      
	Published:  Nov 21, 2019


	Publicly Released: Nov 21, 2019
                        Small Business Research Programs: Many Agencies Took Longer to Issue Small Business Awards than RecommendedGAO-19-620
      
	Published:  Sep 26, 2019


	Publicly Released: Sep 26, 2019
                        Animal Use in Research: Federal Agencies Should Assess and Report on Their Efforts to Develop and Promote AlternativesGAO-19-629
      
	Published:  Sep 24, 2019


	Publicly Released: Sep 24, 2019
                        Scientific Integrity Policies: Additional Actions Could Strengthen Integrity of Federal ResearchGAO-19-265
      
	Published:  Apr 04, 2019


	Publicly Released: Apr 04, 2019
                        Science and Technology: Considerations for Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness in Quantum Computing, Synthetic Biology, and Other Potentially Transformational Research AreasGAO-18-656
      
	Published:  Sep 26, 2018


	Publicly Released: Sep 26, 2018
                        National Science Foundation: A Workforce Strategy and Evaluation of Results Could Improve Use of Rotating Scientists, Engineers, and EducatorsGAO-18-533
      
	Published:  Sep 05, 2018


	Publicly Released: Sep 05, 2018
                        Small Business Research Programs: Agencies Need to Take Steps to Assess Progress Toward Commercializing TechnologiesGAO-18-207
      
	Published:  Jan 31, 2018


	Publicly Released: Jan 31, 2018
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