Timeline of U.S Federal R&D Funding for STEM (1940-2025) (Copy)

This graph shows U.S. federal R&D spending from 1940 to 2025. The data displays steady growth beginning with wartime research in the 1940s, followed by sharp increases during the late 1950s–1960s Cold War and space race after the launch of Sputnik. Funding continued to rise through the late 20th century as the U.S. expanded higher education, defense research, and emerging technologies. By 2025, investment reached an estimated $200B, reflecting the nation's long-term strategy of linking science, technology, and education to national and global security.