As the most comprehensive resource available for those involved in technology-based economic development, SSTI offers the services that are needed to help build tech-based economies. Learn more about membership...
Should State R&D Funding Be Surveyed Annually?
Academic, industrial and federal R&D spending is surveyed annually by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Similar information regarding state R&D investments, however, only is captured periodically. The latest survey results, for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 were released this past December and used to create an SSTI Useful Stats table on state R&D intensity (see the Dec. 9, 2009 Digest). Is this information useful for state and local TBED practitioners and policy makers? Should NSF and the Census Bureau, which conducts the survey for NSF, continue the effort?
The Census Bureau has asked OMB for reinstatement of the collection of state R&D expenditures. The Bureau requests public comments and recommendations, within 30 days, as to whether or not the survey in its present form is useful to its primary target audience.
Digest readers interested in commenting are encouraged to see the brief notice provided in the Feb. 19 Federal Register for more background and comment instructions: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-02-19/html/2010-3155.htm