Research Funding
The annual process by which the government funds all of its various discretionary programs is called the budget process. The budget process determines funding for everything from the military, to the postal service, to aid programs, and to research programs like those at USDA and the National Science Foundation. Understanding and engaging in the budget process allows ASA, CSSA, and SSSA members to advocate for federal research programs at the right time and to the right people.
The President’s Budget
The annual budget process unofficially starts with the release of the president’s budget early in the calendar year. The president’s budget outlines the president’s priorities and can eliminate programs, propose new programs, or provide increases in funding to existing programs that align with those priorities. However, president’s budget is more of a political document then an actual guide to federal spending.
Annual Funding Process
While the president puts forward his or her budget proposal each year, it’s Congress who has the “power of the purse” and actually decides federal spending amounts. The Science Policy Office tracks the annual budget process for food, agriculture, and natural resources funding agencies, specifically U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy Office of Science.
- Read this CSA News article for an overview of the annual federal funding process.
Federal Funding Chart
Get the latest updates on funding for federal food, agriculture, and natural resources research programs.
Updated August, 2024.
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
| Agency - Program | FY23 Final | FY24 Final | FY25 Society Request | FY25 President's Request | FY25 House | FY25 Senate | FY25 Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USDA Agricultural Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA) | $0.001 | $0.001 | $0.050 | $0.000 | $0.001 | $0.001 | |
| USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) | $1.819 | $1.845 | $1.950 | $1.784 | $1.821 | $1.870 | |
| USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) | $1.701 | $1.679 | $1.732 | $1.674 | $1.682 | ||
| USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) | $0.445 | $0.455 | $0.500 | $0.475 | $0.443 | $0.455 | |
| USDA Hatch Act Formula Funds | $0.260 | $0.260 | $0.300 | $0.265 | $0.260 | $0.260 | |
| USDA Smith-Lever Extension Funds | $0.320 | $0.320 | $0.420 | $0.325 | $0.320 | $0.320 | |
| USDA Equipment Grants | $0.005 | $0.005 | $0.005 | $0.000 | $0.005 | $0.005 | |
| USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education | $0.050 | $0.048 | $0.060 | $0.050 | $0.045 | $0.048 | |
| USDA Ag Genome to Phenome Initiative | $0.003 | $0.002 | $0.010 | $0.000 | $0.002 | $0.002 | |
| USDA Research Facilities | $0.002 | $0.001 | $0.050 | $0.002 | $0.000 | $0.001 |
*Values listed in billions of dollars
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
| Agency - Program | FY23 Final | FY24 Final | FY25 Society Request | FY25 President's Request | FY25 House | FY25 Senate | FY25 Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Science Foundation (NSF) | $8.838 | $9.060 | $11.900 | $10.200 | $9.258 | $9.550 |
*Values listed in billions of dollars
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
| Agency - Program | FY23 Final | FY24 Final | FY25 Society Request | FY25 President's Request | FY25 House | FY25 Senate | FY25 Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy Office of Science | $7.475 | $8.240 | $9.500 | $8.583 | $8.390 | $8.600 | |
| Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) | $0.450 | $0.460 | $0.600 | $0.450 | $0.450 | $0.459 |
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
| Agency - Program | FY23 Final | FY24 Final | FY25 Society Request | FY25 President's Request | FY25 House | FY25 Senate | FY25 Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Geological Survey (total discretionary) | $1.394 | $1.455 | $1.476 | $1.370 | $1.482 | ||
| Environmental Protection Agency Science & Technology | $0.750 | $0.758 | $1.010 | $0.523 | $0.784 | ||
| U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Forest and Rangeland Research | $0.297 | $0.300 | $0.316 | $0.300 | $0.319 |
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