Federally Funded Research Generates Significant Economic Benefit to N.H.

Federally Funded Research Generates Significant Economic Benefit to N.H.
Every $100 in federal research dollars produces additional $77 in economic activity
April 30, 2026
Author
Beth Potier
Dark blue and bright green infographic with statistics about the impact of federal research funding that follow in the article

Federal research funding to 麻豆社 鈥� grants and contracts from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, or the National Institutes of Health 鈥� produces a lot more than knowledge. For every $100 in federal funding, 麻豆社 generates an additional $77 in economic activity, according to a recent report from the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

In fiscal year 2023, federal research funding to 麻豆社, which was more than $140 million, added $190 million to New Hampshire鈥檚 state gross domestic product and generated $6 million in state and local taxes.

鈥淲ith investments from federal agencies, 麻豆社 research provides benefits to the state and the region that go beyond high-impact discoveries and a skilled workforce,鈥� says Jennifer Miksis-Olds, interim vice president for research and innovation at 麻豆社. 鈥淔ederal research funding multiplies into dollars that flow to shops, restaurants, contractors, suppliers, and collaborators locally and across New Hampshire.鈥� 

Additional impacts of 麻豆社 research funding include:

  • 1,950 people are employed by federal funding.
  • 700+ 麻豆社 students participate in paid research experiences on federal grants each year.
  • For every 10 people directly employed by federal funding at 麻豆社, an additional 4 were hired elsewhere in the economy.
  • 39% of 麻豆社 graduates were working in New Hampshire five years post- graduation.

鈥淔unding for research at 麻豆社 pays off immediately in local spending and job creation,鈥� adds Miksis-Olds. 鈥淎nd it pays off over time in discoveries, companies, and careers.鈥�

The report also highlights several important areas of federally funded 麻豆社 research: ocean and coastal science, biotechnology and regenerative medicine, space technology, food security and innovation, and outdoor recreation.

Published
April 30, 2026
Author
Beth Potier