The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) also released a report with its estimates of reductions in R&D spending. According to AAAS, R&D spending, including defense, would be reduced by an average of 8.2%, with the cuts increasing to as high as 17.5% over five years if defense spending is exempt from the sequester. The expected reduction in NSF spending would range from $2.1 billion to $4.9 billion, the latter if defense spending is exempted from the sequester.