State-level R&D spending grows

State government agency expenditures for R&D increased by 11.3 per cent between fiscal years 2010 and 2011, according to an analysis by the National Science Foundation posted online on 4 November. The data represent the most recent NSF statistics of R&D activities performed and funded by state government agencies in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Overall, NSF found that state government agency expenditures for R&D came to more than $1.4 billion in FY 2011, a significant jump from the $1.26bn reported in FY2010.

Meanwhile, expenditures for R&D facilities—such as construction projects, major building renovations, and land and building acquisitions intended primarily for R&D use—came to $109 million in FY2011, a 1.7 per cent increase compared with $107m reported in FY2010.