
Research Funding Grows: 2020 Survey
US Survey — Key Findings
Research institutions posted increased funding which could lead to the next generation of academic intellectual property, according to AUTM’s Annual Licensing Activity Survey, which polls US universities, hospitals and other research institutions.
The key findings of the 2020 US Survey:
- Total research expenditures grew to 83.1 billion, an increase of 7.6% over 2019, and a nearly 22.8% increase over the past five years.
- 27,112 disclosures were reported in 2020, an increase of 6.8% over prior year.
- US patents rose to 8,706, a 15.6% year-over-year jump.
- Universities are driving the innovation economy through small, entrepreneurial businesses with over three-fourths of licenses and options conducted through startups and small businesses.
- A record 1,117 startups were formed, directly impacting local economies, with nearly 69% of the new businesses remaining in their institution’s home state.
US Survey — Purchase
Canadian Survey — Key Findings
Canadian research institutions reported a record amount of research funding in 2020 while continuing to pursure more non-traditional sources of funding. Tech transfer institutions formed more than 100 startups, underscoring the continued focus on local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
- 104 startups were formed, directly impacting local economies, with more than 86% of the new businesses headquartered in their institution’s home province.
- Canadian institutions are increasingly filing new non-US patent applications compared to five years ago, with non-US patent applications representing 28.1% in 2020 vs. 24% in 2015.
- Nearly half of the record $6.97 (CAD) in total research expenditures came from sources other than federally or industry-sponsored research.
Canadian Survey — Purchase the Report
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Search 30 Years of Data
View the data online via STATT (Statistics Access for Technology Transfer), a searchable database of nearly three decades of data. All members whose institutions participated in the 2020 survey receive a free annual subscription to STATT. Members from non-participating institutions can purchase an annual subscription of STATT.
Survey Pricing
AUTM Member Status |
Publication |
Price |
Members from Contributing Institutions |
Survey Data |
Free |
Members from Non-contributing Institutions |
Survey Data |
$50 |
Non-members |
Survey Data |
$375 |
STATT Database Pricing
AUTM Member Status |
STATT Product |
Price |
Members from Contributing Institutions |
One-year Subscription |
Free |
Members from Non-contributing Institutions |
One-year Subscription |
$225 |
Non-members |
One-year Subscription |
$525 |
Thank you to the 2020 Survey sponsor:

To learn about sponsorship opportunities in the tech transfer industry's go-to report, contact AUTM Sponsor & Exhibits Manager, Casey Annunziata.