Climate Policy Databases

Annual update of the Database on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) budgets for Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (1978–2026 Request)

The attached document contains the August 2025 update to our database on the U.S. government investments in energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment (ERD3) through the U.S. Department of Energy. We annually track the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) budget to ascertain trends, reveal discrepancies, and assess whether budget expenditures are consistent with national priorities.

The database, in Microsoft Excel format, tracks DOE appropriations from FY 1978–2025 and the 2026 Budget Request and includes funding for ERD3 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. It also includes several charts. It should be cited as: Gallagher, K.S. and L.D. Anadon, "DOE Budget Authority for Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Database," Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; CEENRG, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge; August 7, 2025.

Overall, the budget request would represent a very significant reduction in public funding for energy innovation by the US Department of Energy, reversing the growing investment trend after the 2009 financial crisis.

At $2.9 billion in 2020$ the 2026 budget request would bring energy research, development and demonstration (ERD&D) investments from DOE would be just over half (51%) of that of 2025 ($5.8 billion in 2020%). The 2026 budget request level would bring ERD&D down to the levels in the mid-1980s or early 2000s funding levels in constant 2020$, and slightly above the funding levels in the late 1990s.

The DOE budget request includes a combined $4.7 billion 2020$ for ERD&D and funding for Basic Energy Sciences (BES), 60% of the 2025 level of $7.8 billion.

Gallagher, K.S. and L.D. Anadon, "DOE Budget Authority for Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Database," The Fletcher School, Tufts University; CEENRG, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge; and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School; August 8, 2025.