Slow, steady growth for R&D

Although many economists are predicting a small recession and a decline in the gross national product, the research and development sector should continue its steady growth.

R&D funding in 1980 will reach the $59 billion mark, according to a study in Industrial Research/Development Magazine. This would be an overall increase of 12.96 percent, just ahead of projected inflation rates for 1980. Industrial funding will rise almost 13 percent to $27.9 billion.

However, the performance of research and development in the federal government will increase only 10.3 percent to $7.5 billion. Most of the increased federal funding will go to industry, some universities, and other non-profit concerns.