Global spending on R&D is expected to increase 3.6% in 2011 to nearly $1.2 trillion, according to Battelle Memorial Institute and R&D Magazine’s joint analysis. It is estimated that the Americas, Asia and Europe will account for 38%, 35% and 23% of R&D spending, respectively. R&D Magazine’s 2011 Global Research Study surveyed 378 predominantly private sector researchers involved with recent collaborations. Twenty percent of respondents anticipate their industrial R&D funding will decline in 2011, and 23% believe government R&D funding will decrease. The most critical challenges for the respondents are limited budget (37%), lack of development time (34%) and competition (33%). Responses from US and non-US researchers differed regarding the impact of global concerns on their R&D plans, but both groups placed health care for the aging, demand for renewable/sustainable energy and global population growth among their top five issues.

Source: R&D Magazine