During World War II (1939-1945), the majority money for medical research in the United States was donated by wealthy individuals, industry, and universities. Scientists refused to accept government funding because they feared of losing the intellectual freedom that they have to study what they don’t want to. However, since the 1940s the Federal Government has already taken a major role in endowing biomedical research.

By the 2001, the NIH (National Institute of Health) designed to spend around $20.3 billion on biomedical research, which is distributed to scientists in colleges and universities to conduct some specific research projects. The development also touched the pharmaceutical industries which dare to spend about $26 billion on research. The next largest source of funds is donated by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), which spends about $554 million annually. Other major funding sources are private foundations and voluntary health organizations.

Among those energetic in biomedical research be real the Charles A. Dana Foundation, the Lucille P. Markey Foundation, and the Whittaker Foundation. While the major voluntary health organizations are the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association.