A study led by Furnas and Dashun Wang analyzed 40 years of federal science funding data, challenging the perception that Republicans are inherently anti-science. The research found that during Republican presidencies and when the Republicans controlled the House, science funding typically increased. On average, funding was about $150 million higher annually under Republican House control.
The analysis included funding from various federal agencies, revealing that while Republicans allocated more funds to science, Democrats had competing social spending priorities, which might explain their lower levels of science funding. Notably, the recent trend toward significant budget cuts under the Trump administration diverges from the historical bipartisan support for science.
Although historically both parties valued science funding, current political polarization could threaten future research investment and innovation. Researchers emphasize that the long-term nature of scientific progress contrasts with the short-term political shifts, leading to concerns about sustained support for science.
