Here is link to the 2011 Global R&D Funding Forecast: from the R&D Magazine: “

Global Spending Following cuts in total R&D spending by most advanced economies during the global recession in 2008 to 2009, R&D spending growth resumed, albeit at reduced levels, in 2010 and is again forecast for 2011. Rapid growth in R&D spending in emerging Asian nations only slowed slightly during the recession and is forecast to continue growth that is several times that of the advanced economies.

US has a third of the global R&D spending, even though others are growing much faster. Here are some takeaways:

1. In addition to outsourcing R&D, many organizations are building new R&D facilities in offshore locations.
2. R&D Collaboration is increasing between developed and developing nations, with all parties gaining from it.
3. R&D gap between developed and developing countries are narrowing as measured by patent filings.  Even though developed nations continue to file for new patents, developing nations are fast accelerating their rate of patenting.
4. And some good news – academic innovation and R&D is accelerating.  May be because many strong students went back to academia when they could not find jobs in the great recession…