Funding the Evidence Act: Options for Allocating Resources to Meet Emerging Data and Evidence Needs in the Federal Government

Abstract

In January 2019, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act) was enacted. It has the potential to dramatically change how the federal government manages data and uses information to inform important policy decisions. As agencies work to implement the Evidence Act, one core question will routinely arise: how much money should agencies spend on generating evidence to inform decision-making? And, importantly, how can the American public track and monitor the amount of funding agencies are allocating annually to support data and evidence activities? These questions need to be addressed throughout the implementation of the Evidence Act and beyond.

This white paper explores the opportunities available for Congress and Executive Branch agencies to apply various funding models to ensure the intent of the Evidence Act is realized. The paper starts by describing the challenges in measuring funding allocated for data and evidence activities, then describes some pieces of the funding calculus that are readily accessible as well as the types of funding mechanisms in place today. The paper concludes with a description of potential policy options and approaches for consideration by congressional appropriations committees, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and federal agencies in implementing the Evidence Act and supporting evidence-building activities moving forward.

Keywords: Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, Evidence Act, Chief Data Officer, appropriations, evidence-based, statistical agency, budget

JEL Classification: H50, H5, H6, H61, H43