Australian policymakers stand to learn a lot from the United States' research and development (R&D) sector. In particular the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, implemented in 1982, has revolutionised the research and development sector in the US.

Non-resident Fellow Don Scott-Kemis writes in Innovation Aus that the Australian government needs its own unique R&D program for small businesses, one that links funding to demand from both the public and private sectors.