Definitions and Notes
Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar figures in this report refer to research and development (R&D), which includes both the conduct of R&D and support for R&D facilities. Some figures refer only to conduct of R&D and are noted as such.

This report uses the National Science Foundation's definitions for R&D. These definitions, which are used by NSF and the Office of Management and Budget in the collection of federal government statistics for R&D, are reproduced below.

R&D refers to researchboth basic and appliedand development activities in the sciences and engineering as well as R&D plant.

Research is systematic study directed toward fuller scientific understanding of the subject studied. Research is classified as either basic or applied according to the objective of the sponsoring agency.

In basic research the objective of the sponsoring agency is to gain fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward processes or products in mind.

In applied research the objective of the sponsoring agency is to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining means by which a recognized and specific need may be met.

Development is the systematic use of the knowledge or understanding gained from research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes. It excludes quality control, routing product testing and evaluation.

Funds for conducting R&D include those for personnel, program supervision, and administrative support directly associated with R&D activities. Expendable or movable equipment needed to conduct R&D, e.g., a microscopes or a spectrometer, is also included.

The definitions discussed above constitute "conduct of R&D." R&D plant, or R&D facilities support, include funds for non-movable R&D facilities such as reactors, wind tunnels, or particle accelerators, or for the construction, repair, or alteration of such facilities. (A facility is interpreted broadly to be any physical resource important to the conduct of R&D.)

Figures may vary between tables. Some tables are based on calendar years while others are based on fiscal years; some cover only conduct of R&D while others cover R&D facilities support as well. Data are collected using a variety of surveys which yield data that are not always perfectly consistent. Some data are collecting by surveying the sources of R&D funds (such as federal agencies) while others data are based on a survey of recipients. Please refer to the original source for complete information on how the data are collected.

(Definitions adapted from National Science Foundation, Federal R&D Funding by Budget Function Fiscal Years 1994-96, NSF 95-342, 1995, and other NSF publications)

Related Publications
Publications in the The Future of Science and Technology in the States series:

The Future of Science and Technology in Georgia: Trends and Indicators, (May 1996) $8.95

The Future of Science and Technology in California: Trends and Indicators, (May 1996) $8.95

The state reports may be ordered directly from the AAAS Directorate for Science and Policy Programs. Please add $2.50 for postage and handling per order. Orders must be prepaid by check or accompanied by a purchase order payable to AAAS. Please call Shirley Young at (202) 326-6600, or fax your order to (202) 289-4950. Direct correspondence to Shirley Young, AAAS Directorate for Science and Policy Programs, 1200 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20005.

Other AAAS Publications:
AAAS Report XXI: Research and Development FY 1997, Intersociety Working Group, 1996. $18.95; $15.16 to AAAS members. (A comprehensive analysis of the federal budget for R&D for FY 1997 by agency, issue area, and discipline).

Working With Congress: A Practical Guide for Scientists and Engineers, Second Edition, William G. Wells, Jr., 1996. ISBN 0-87168-581-7, AAAS publication number: 96-2S. $15.95; $12.76 to AAAS members.

Competitiveness in Academic Research. Albert H. Teich, editor, 1996. ISBN 0-87168-580-9, AAAS publication number: 96-1S. $21.95; $17.56 to AAAS members. (A study on research competitiveness commissioned by the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program.)

AAAS Science and Technology Policy Yearbook 1995, Albert H. Teich, Stephen D. Nelson, & Celia McEnaney, editors, 1995. ISBN 0-87168-558-2. $24.95; $19.95 to AAAS members. (A collection of writings on the major science and technology policy issues of 1995).

The above publications may be ordered from the AAAS Distribution Center. Please add $4.00 for postage and handling per order. Orders must be prepaid by check or accompanied by purchase order payable to AAAS. Address: AAAS Distribution Center, P.O. Box 521, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. For VISA / Mastercard orders call 1-800-222-7809 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET). Fax orders to 301-206-9789. For shipments to CA and DC, add applicable sales tax. For shipments to Canada, add the GST. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

AAAS World Wide Web Site
Further information on the activities of the AAAS Directorate for Science and Policy Programs is available on the AAAS Web site at http://www.aaas.org/spp.

Updated information on federal funding for R&D is available on the R&D Budget and Policy Project home page at http://www.aaas.org/spp/dspp/rd/rdwwwpg.htm.

Information on the Center for Science, Technology, and Congress is available on the Center's home page at http://www.aaas.org/spp/dspp/cstc/cstc.htm.