What is the estimated cost of nuclear fusion research since its inception?

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The total amount spent on nuclear fusion research since its inception is estimated to be around $100 billion, factoring in both magnetic and laser fusion. Major projects like ITER, NIF, JET, and Tri Alpha account for over $22 billion of this total. The U.S. Department of Energy has contributed approximately $1 billion annually for over a decade, further supporting this estimate. Additionally, significant fusion research investments have been made by countries such as Japan, China, Korea, and Russia over the past 30 years. Current annual global expenditures on fusion research are estimated to be at least $7 billion.
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Hey guys,

Do you have ideas on the current dollar amount spent on nuclear fusion research since it's Rutherfordian inception?
 
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$100 billion worldwide, including magnetic and laser fusion.
 
Dennis Jasbey said:
$100 billion worldwide, including magnetic and laser fusion.

ITER $17,000,000,000, NIF $4,200,000,000, JET $500,000,000, and Tri Alpha $500,000,000 are over $22 billion alone. Your figure may not be too far off, especially when considering DOE grants (part of which goes to ITER and NIF?) seem to have been $1,000,000,000+/year for the last 10+ years as well.

~$32,000,000,000 so far.
 
My $100 billion is in current dollars (as you requested), not as-spent dollars.
For example, JET expenses were far above $1 billion in current dollars (not 500 million).

Don't forget the huge fusion programs in Japan, China, Korea and Russia for the past 30 years.

Worldwide expenditures on fusion are currently at least $7 billion annually.
 

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