No other nation draws so many students from abroad, or has been so successful in basic research. Now, even European universities are beginning to emulate the U.S. model. Universities receive research funding from many sources including industries and state and local governments. By far the largest supporter of university research, however, is the federal government. Six Key Federal Research Agencies.
Federal agencies support university research to further their agency missions.
For example, the NIH supports research to advance the understanding of biological systems, improve the control of disease, and enhance human health, while the Defense Department supports computer science and materials research to improve surveillance, operational, and weapons systems and to sustain national security.