Scant discussion exists in the literature about the relative design merits of various R&D schemes and most authors treat program design as a black box. In this paper, we assess the design features of three major forms of R&D support: entitlement schemes, competitive schemes and industry R&D...

Survey data from over 3000 academic scientists shows that nearly half of these scientists report that their choice of research project has been affected (to some degree) by the presence of third-party patents. We test for the relative effects of the costs associated with physically obtaining...

The number of research grants awarded to biomedical researchers is found to have a positive effect on their subsequent number of publications and patents but either no effect or a negative effect on the subsequent number of commercial contracts signed. The exception was ‘development grants’...

Survey data from over 3,000 academic scientists show that nearly half of these scientists report that their choice of research projects has been affected (to some degree) by the presence of third‐party patents. Our evidence suggests that the operation of this patent‐induced effect is through...

The Review of Research Policy and Funding Arrangements 2015 (the ‘Watt Review’), presents a well considered commentary and recommendations for how the Commonwealth Government should fund university research in coming years. What is clear from the report – and has been known by insiders for...