Federal government spending on science and technology

The federal government's spending on activities in science and technology is expected to surpass $8.5 billion in the fiscal year 2003/04.

A survey of science and technology activities of federal departments and agencies shows total spending will surpass $8.5 billion, up 7% over the level forecasted for 2002/03. This total would represent about 4.9% of total government spending, compared with 3.7% in 1993/94.

For every $100 that will be spent on science and technology in 2003/04, the lion's share, about $64, will be spent on research and development.

The anticipated $5.5 billion that will be devoted to research and development in 2003/04 will include intramural performance (activities carried out primarily by the federal government) and extramural funding (activities managed and performed by non-federal organizations).

Just over one-half (53%) of total science and technology expenditures are expected to be spent on activities performed by the federal government itself in 2003/04. Of total planned research and development spending, the federal government will perform $2.2 billion, or 40%.

Federal government research and development funding to the higher education sector is expected to exceed $2 billion for 2003/04.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4212.

The service bulletin Science Statistics: Federal Government Expenditures on Scientific Activities, 2003/04, Vol. 27, no. 8 (88-001-XIE, $7/$64) is now available.

For more information, or to enquire about the methods, concepts or data quality of this release, contact Lloyd Lizotte, (613-951-2188; lloyd.lizotte@statcan.gc.ca) or Antoine Rose (613-951-9919; antoine.rose@statcan.gc.ca), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.