This report discusses the support of research and development (R&D) by the federal government through appropriate agencies; it uses data from an annual survey of federal agencies following the preparation of their budgets for 1984. Therefore, this information reflects the continuation of Reagan administration policies to strengthen the United States economy and to increase national security. The report is divided into three sections: (1) the 1984 budget (examining federal R&D in the national economy, character of work, fields of science and engineering, budget allocations by function, and agency programs); (2) performers of federally funded R&D (including industrial firms, federal intramural, universities and colleges, fields of science/engineering, and federally funded R&D centers); and (3) geographic distribution, 1982 (considering the leading states, relative rates of growth, distribution of funds by performer, factors in R&D performing capability, and R&D plant). Also included is a summary of more recent data which became available after the survey was completed; this summary provides information on federal R&D levels of support proposed for 1985. (The data discussed in this report, which provide an overview of current and recent historical trends in government R&D funding, are useful to planners and decision-makers in government, industry, and college/university settings.) (JN)