Monday, June 20, 2022

Total annual funding to state geological surveys exceeds a quarter billion dollars

The 2022 Report of AASG Statistician Ken Bradbury of WI indicates that FY21 revenue to state geological surveys was $239M, with total staff of 1790 FTE; current estimates for FY22 are $263M and 1885 staff. Funding had peaked at $237M in FY12, due to the federal stimulus, and as federal funds fell by $45M, and total funding bottomed out at $216M in FY14, surveys raised diverse funds to achieve stability, although states vary. Adjusted for inflation, state surveys have been financially stable since the early 80s, although staffing has fallen in that time by a third. FY21 funding was half state-derived, and 20% federal, with the remainder in other categories. State funds are mostly recurring rather than non-recurring; whereas recurring state funds were over 90% of budgets in 1960, this fell to 40% in 2010 and has since stabilized. A significant upswing in federal funding is underway, from $51M in FY21 to an estimated $65M in FY22. Percent female among science staff has risen steadily over a decade from 24% to 30%. Publication sales have dwindled and stabilized as publications are offered for free online.


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