Chronicle: Federal Support for Research

Many of us should find this article interesting. Quoting the article:

University scientists have been vocally telling anyone who would listen that federal financing of their work is under severe pressure, threatening the progress of research that could advance health care and economic competitiveness. New projections from the National Science Foundation, however, suggest that the sky is hardly falling.

The NSF estimated in a report released last week that federal funds for all academic research and development had increased by nearly 8 percent in 2006, to $31.22-billion, compared with 2005. Meanwhile, inflation was around 3 percent.