IRI Survey: Leaders “Cautiously Optimistic” About R&D Investments
The Innovation Research Interchange, the NAM’s innovation division, released its annual survey of R&D leaders—one that has been conducted every year since 1984. The survey reveals important information about where these key leaders predict the manufacturing industry is heading. Here are some highlights.
The big picture: “The 2026 IRI survey shows cautious optimism in R&D investment despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties,” according to the report.
- Almost half of respondents expected to increase their budgets this year, focusing primarily on artificial intelligence, data management and new business development.
- However, these leaders felt more pessimistic about the economy at large, with many expressing worries about political uncertainty and tariffs.
Spending in 2026: “Forty-eight percent of respondents anticipate an increase of some level, and only 19% anticipate a decrease.”
- These numbers are fairly close to last year’s results, when 48% also predicted increases, but a lower number—7%—forecasted decreases.
- The predicted decreases in spending were largest in capital spending (29% of respondents) and U.S. R&D spending (26% of respondents).
- Meanwhile, investments in machine learning, AI, data management and Internet of Things technologies remain high, with 69% of respondents projecting an increase.
Workforce: Notably, R&D leaders expected greater decreases in staffing this year.
- When asked about net staffing changing this year, respondents felt mildly optimistic overall, in line with last year, with only 5% of firms expecting a significant increase and 44% predicting small increases.
- However, 29% of leaders predicted decreases—a sharp rise from the 10% who predicted the same last year.
The near future: When asked about their five-year outlook, R&D leaders continued to be optimistic, as they were last year.
- Twelve percent forecasted significant increases in spending and 48% forecasted slight increases in spending, versus 14% and 48%, respectively, last year.
- Meanwhile, 12% of leaders expected a decrease in spending in that time frame, as opposed to 7% last year.
Read more: Check out the full report here.