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Assessing the relevance of R&D funding towards societal goals: Insights from new data sources and AI-assisted methods

Author

Listed:
  • Leonidas Aristodemou
  • Silvia Appelt
  • Brigitte van Beuzekom
  • Fernando Galindo-Rueda

Abstract

This paper presents and demonstrates a novel approach for assessing the relevance of public R&D funding towards societal goals. The approach relies on the development of a new machine learning classification model for R&D activity descriptions, trained on researchers’ self-assessments about the relevance of their R&D activity towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Applied to R&D project descriptions in the OECD Fundstat database, the model shows how funding, including for basic research, contributes towards societal goals. The analysis allows to compare funding portfolios and provides evidence of the interdependencies between societal goals served by R&D funding and its potential to contribute to multiple goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonidas Aristodemou & Silvia Appelt & Brigitte van Beuzekom & Fernando Galindo-Rueda, 2025. "Assessing the relevance of R&D funding towards societal goals: Insights from new data sources and AI-assisted methods," OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers 2025/25, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:stiaaa:2025/25-en
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • H59 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Other
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • C45 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Neural Networks and Related Topics
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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