Republicans Outpace Democrats in Federal Science Funding

Recent analysis reveals that U.S. Republicans historically allocated more funds to scientific research compared to their Democratic counterparts, despite an increasing skepticism towards science among some Republican leaders in recent years. A study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University examined federal appropriations for science from 1980 to 2020, uncovering significant partisan disparities in funding levels.

The research, led by Dashun Wang and Alexander Furnas from the Kellogg School of Management, highlighted that Republican presidents and House majorities spent more on science-related appropriations during this 40-year period. Utilizing public records from the U.S. Government Publishing Office and the Congressional Budget Office, the team assessed a total of 171 specific appropriations accounts across 27 federal agencies, encompassing a broad definition of science and research.

During the analysis, the researchers noted that science appropriations would typically receive, on average, an additional $150 million when Republicans controlled the House of Representatives and $100 million more under a Republican presidency. The funding encompassed not only research and development but also social science and policy research initiatives related to agencies such as NASA, the Institute for Education Sciences, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Understanding the dynamics of science funding has been a critical motivation behind this research. The authors aim to provide a foundation for future advocacy and policy design surrounding scientific funding. They also express hope that their findings will inspire greater bipartisanship in political discussions related to science.

The research findings are published in the journal Science under the title “Partisan disparities in the funding of science in the United States.” As the nation navigates complex conversations about climate change and public health, the study’s insights into funding trends could play a pivotal role in shaping future policies and collaborative efforts in scientific research.