The survey is the primary source of comprehensive national information on R&D spending within the higher education sector. Data are published at the institution level to allow universities, colleges, and the public to benchmark institutions against their peers.
The FY 2025 survey is due January 30, 2026 There were no changes to this questionnaire from the FY 2024 version.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) is a statistical agency located within NSF.
Explore and analyze NCSES data through a collection of data tools, profiles, and resources.
Contains instructions, definitions, and a printable preview of all survey questions.
HERD is a survey of institutions that offer an accredited bachelor's or higher degree and have annual R&D expenditures of at least $150,000. The survey was developed in consultation with experts, data users, and university representatives. The survey collects detailed information on R&D expenditures in 40 fields of R&D. The fields of R&D include both science and engineering (S&E) fields and non-science and engineering (non-S&E) fields such as humanities, education, law, and the arts. In addition to expenditure data, the survey also captures the source of funding, type of research conducted, type of costs, and headcounts of research personnel.
The collection of this information is authorized under the National Science Foundation (NSF) Act of 1950, as amended. The data collected becomes part of NSF's longitudinal statistics on R&D. NSF has provided this information to federal, state and academic decision makers since 1972. The data from this survey are published in detailed tables and reports and are included in databases available to the public.
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