(Originally published by Just Security on July 9, 2025.)

In the first few months of the second Trump administration, the federal government has rapidly dismantled its longstanding support for scientific research and technology development. Since World War II, the United States has directed significant public resources toward research and development, particularly for academic institutions. These investments have shaped both U.S. and global innovation ecosystems.

U.S. taxpayers have received a large return on this public funding, with estimates suggesting that each dollar of investment in innovation yields $5 to $20 in societal benefits.

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