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Government Costing

Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey

The HERD survey collects data on research and development (R&D) activities at higher education institutions. The survey is completed annually for a given fiscal year and is due by the end of January of the following year. Survey results are typically published in November of the following fiscal year (e.g., fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, was published in November 2017). The HERD survey is conducted by ICF International under contract to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF). Data is collected from over 900 research-performing academic institutions. The resulting data from this survey is published annually by NSF.

The HERD survey is the primary source of information on research and development expenditures at higher education institutions in the United States. Results of the survey are primarily used to assess trends in R&D expenditures across the fields of science and engineering (S&E). The survey results in a listing that ranks institutions by R&D expenditures. In addition, the results of the surveys are maintained from previous fiscal years for historical trend analysis purposes. The HERD survey information is vital for decision making by federal, state, and academic planners regarding future R&D funding priorities. The University of Illinois System places significant importance on the results of this survey.

To obtain more information on the HERD survey click on the link in the Helpful Links box.  

Urbana-Champaign and Springfield

System Government Costing prepares and submits the annual HERD survey for both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Springfield.  The reports are submitted to the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the end of January each year. 

For summary information related to the HERD surveys, refer to the Other Information box on this web page.

Chicago

The Grants & Contracts Office at the University of Illinois at Chicago prepares and submits the HERD survey to the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the end of January each year.


Last Updated: June 15, 2018

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