US remains science and tech superpower

The US now accounts for 40 per cent of global spending on scientific R&D

The US remains the dominant world power in science and technology, a new Federal government-sponsored report claims today.

A study by non-profit research organisation Rand Corporation found that the US now accounts for 40 per cent of global spending on scientific research and development.

The country employs 70 per cent of the world's Nobel Prize winners, and is home to three-quarters of the world's top 40 universities.

Rand Corporation noted that an influx of foreign students, scientists and engineers in the sciences has helped the US build and maintain its lead, even as many other nations increase spending on research and development.

Continuing this flow of foreign-born talent is critical to helping the US maintain its lead, the research claims.

"Much of the concern about the US losing its edge as the world leader in science and technology appears to be unfounded," said Titus Galama, co-author of the report and a management scientist at Rand.

"But the US cannot afford to be complacent. Effort is needed to make sure the nation maintains or even extends its standing."

Galama explained that US investment in research and development has not lagged in recent years, but has grown at rates similar to that seen elsewhere in the world, growing even faster than spending in Europe and Japan.

However, other nations are rapidly educating their populations in science and technology.

For instance, the European Union and China are graduating more university-educated scientists and engineers every year than the US.