The Division of Science Resources Studies (SRS) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supported the workshop on "Strategic Research Partnerships," that was convened at SRI, International, Washington D.C., on October 13, 2000. The objective of this workshop was to identify for NSF, SRS, and the National Science Board the policy needs for, and available data on, indicators related to the formation, activities, and economic consequences of alliances and strategic research partnerships (SRP). An SRP was broadly defined as an innovation-based relationship that involves, at least partly, a significant effort in research and development.
Patterns of the Nation's R&D investments have changed considerably during the past twenty years, including an apparent increase in the web of partnerships among firms, universities, and federal agencies in conducting R&D and sharing the resultant knowledge. The information generated by this workshop is intended to assist NSF in its continuing effort to track and measure these structural and process changes, and to advance the possibility of developing indicators related to SRPs. An understanding of the nature and magnitude of these changes is needed to inform program and policy deliberations and assist in planning various science and technology initiatives.
The information presented here complements and augments the coverage on R&D partnerships and technology alliances in the Science and Engineering Indicators report (Chapter on U.S. and International Research and Development Funds and Alliances) of the National Science Board.
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