U.S. R&D Investment by Selected Performing Sector	Print Indicator (94K)

Universities and colleges perform the majority of basic research in the United States, while industry performs the majority of applied R&D.

Why is this indicator important?

• The innovation enterprise in the United States includes R&D performed in many sectors, each contributing to the national effort.
• Understanding how the S&E roles of academia, government and industry help to identify complementarities and gaps in the national S&E effort.

Key Observations

• The growth of basic research performed by the academic sector has slowed in recent years, while the level of applied research performed by that sector is estimated to be growing.
• There is evidence for some recovery in industrial performance of applied research and development after a brief downturn around 2000.

Related Discussion

• Scientists and engineers working for non-profit organizations and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) also represent important performers of R&D in the United States.
  • FFRDCs grew at the rapid rate between 2000 and 2003, although that rate has slowed in recent years (SEI 2008 Appendix Tables 4-10, 4-14, and 4-16).