Requirements, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations for Measuring R&D Expenditure in Iran

This study aims to identify the requirements and challenges of measuring R&D expenditure in Iran and proposing policy recommendations to address those challenges. For this purpose, first, desk research was conducted to identify the requirements and assess the current situation of measuring and reporting of R&D expenditure in Iran. Then, with the help of the survey, using semi-constructed interviews with experts of the most important relevant agencies, the challenges of measuring R&D expenditure were identified. The sampling method in this study is non-random target sampling. Analysis of the findings shows that the most important challenges are: lack of a national for R&D definition, lack of transparency in defining R&D budget in the government sector, lack of R&D survey for small businesses and non-profit organizations, the multiplicity of measuring and reporting agencies, lack of the participation of R&D performers in surveys, and the weakness of the statistical system of R&D. Given the existing legal backing and receiving expert opinions through the panel, policy solutions to address the above challenges have also been proposed; those are, approving a national guide for defining R&D, increasing the transparency of R&D activities in annual budget act, appointing the body in charge of surveying and measuring R&D expenditure, and establishing and managing an STI information system.