Global relationships: United States of America
The United States (US) is the largest source of R&D expenditures globally. It accounts for approximately 44% of total R&D expenditures in OECD countries combined.
The US provides substantial sources of research funding, access to equipment, technological and academic benchmarking. R&D expenditures were US$276bn in 2002. Industry performed 70% of the national total. The US Federal Government R&D budget was US$98.6bn in 2003. Defence related R&D accounted for US$45 billion of this. The balance of expenditure went to the Department of Health and Human Services (US$28 billion), NASA (US$9bn), Department of Energy (US$8bn) and National Science Foundation (US$3bn).
The bilateral relationship
The US is New Zealand’s largest RS&T partner. According to a 2002 MoRST survey, 40% of NZ researchers have active links with US counterparts. A bilateral RS&T Agreement was signed in 1974 and renewed in 1991.
Most significant areas of scientific collaboration have occurred in:
- Biomedical and biochemical research
- Earth sciences and astronomy
- Life sciences
- Mathematical and information sciences
Opportunities
There is scope for greater:
- access to US sources of federal and other funding in support of collaborative research with New Zealand
- involvement by New Zealand researches in US research infrastructure
- research alliances at both a state and federal government level, e.g. life sciences collaboration with Iowa
- expansion of on-going research programmes (e.g. Antarctica) and academic and professional research exchanges
US Counsellor
Lesley McConnell is our current US Counsellor. You can contact her through the International Administrator.
For more information
Check the international funding opportunities page for information about funding and collaboration opportunities.
More information on New Zeland-United States RS&T links and opportunities can be found on the RSNZ’s Co-Lab website or obtained from the International Administrator.