Research!America Releases Survey Results of Public Opinion of Science

Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address, Research!America released the results from a January 2023 national survey displaying findings concerning the perceived status of R&D funding this year, with notable differences from years past.

Among the hopeful signs for science is noticeably strong bipartisan support among Americans for investing in research. Some highlights from the survey suggest science and technology have become more of a priority for the country:

• 63% of Americans are willing to pay $1 dollar more per week in taxes in support of medical and health research.
• More than 3 in 4 Americans (85% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans, 73% of independents) say R&D investment is creating employment opportunities for people in this country.
• 91% of Americans agree it is important for the U.S. to be a global leader in science and technology.

Additionally, the survey findings show that Americans strongly support federal investment in research which advances the frontiers of knowledge (92% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans, 76% of independents) and that confidence in doctors and scientists rose from 78% and 68% last year to 87% and 78%, respectively.

This article is contributed by COSSA intern Brenna Tosh of Cornell University.