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What does the do?

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The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is a subdivision of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for providing the department science and technology support. The directorate conducts research, development, testing, and evaluation of technologies and capabilities to counter threats and enhance security. It was established in 2003.

In FY 2024,

$912M

was spent by the Science and Technology Directorate
In FY 2024,

1.0%

of Dept. of Homeland Security spending was by the Science and Technology Directorate

How much does the Science and Technology Directorate spend?

The Science and Technology Directorate spent a net total of $911.9 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 1% of the $89.3 billion spent by the Department of Homeland Security, which itself was 1.3% of all federal spending. The ST ranked 10th among DHS subdivisions in net spending.
Net spending is the difference between agency spending and any financial accounts generating funds from the agency’s own activities, like fees or rent. When these funds offset all spending, net spending appears negative. Some agencies tend to operate with positive net spending while others will register negative net spending sometimes or often.

The Science and Technology Directorate ranked 10th among Department of Homeland Security divisions in net spending in 2024.

DHS net spending by division, FY 2024

Like the overall federal budget, agency spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Science and Technology Directorate’s federal spending has increased from $31.9 million in 1980 to $911.9 million in 2024.

The Science and Technology Directorate’s federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by ST, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, the Science and Technology Directorate's spending has increased 2,758.9%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
As a percentage of the overall federal budget, a positive number means agency net spending made up some positive share of total federal spending; a negative number means that net generated funds offset a portion of total spending. ST spending grew more than overall federal spending since 1980, which means that its share of the federal budget increased. In 2024, ST accounted for 0.013% of overall federal spending.

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Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Science and Technology Directorate’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was higher than in FY 1980.

Net spending by ST as a share of federal spending, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Science and Technology Directorate's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all net ST spending.

How did the Science and Technology Directorate spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to ST, FY 2024

Some 537 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Science and Technology Directorate as of September 2024. This is 16.2% more people than the division staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Science and Technology Directorate has increased 16.2% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for ST, September 2010–2024

The Science and Technology Directorate accounts for 0.023% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. The division constituted a larger share of the overall federal workforce in 2024 compared to 2010 (0.023%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the Science and Technology Directorate's share of the workforce (0.023%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.013%).

Who leads the Science and Technology Directorate?

S&T is led by an undersecretary. This individual is nominated by the President and requires Senate confirmation. The undersecretary reports to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

    FedScope

  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

    Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury logo