Adequate financial support for research and development (R&D) activities at universities and colleges in the United States is essential for enabling academic researchers to perform world-class research. This brief focuses on the main sources of financial support for academic R&D and the changes that have taken place over the last two decades. Discussed are overall sources of support (Federal Government, institutional funds, state and local governments, industrial sector, other sources) and sources of support by science and engineering field. (CCM)