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The Likely Mismatch Between Federal Research & Development Funding And Desired Innovation, Joshua D. Sarnoff

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

Scholars are beginning to develop theoretical analyses of the different forms of government funding that promote innovation. These analyses indicate the need for extensive empirical research into the comparative advantages and various abilities of differing governmental and private institutions. Currently, empirical analyses are lacking, as data for such studies is rarely obtained. Worse yet, analyses of the ways funding decisions are actually made indicate that research and development funding decisions are not governed by a theory of comparative innovation advantage. Accordingly, we can expect a substantial mismatch between actual funding choices and desired innovation policy.

This Article identifies practical considerations …