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  • October 2020
  • Article
  • American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

The Elasticity of Science

By: Kyle Myers
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Abstract

This paper identifies the degree to which scientists are willing to change the direction of their work in exchange for resources. Data from the National Institutes of Health are used to estimate how scientists respond to targeted funding opportunities. Inducing a scientist to change their direction by a small amount—to work on marginally different topics—requires a substantial amount of funding in expectation. The switching costs of science are large. The productivity of grants is also estimated, and it appears the additional costs of targeted research may be more than offset by more productive scientists pursuing these grants.

Keywords

Scientists; Funding; Research; Change

Citation

Myers, Kyle. "The Elasticity of Science." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 12, no. 4 (October 2020): 103–134.
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About The Author

Kyle R. Myers

Technology and Operations Management
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More from the Author
  • Digital Manufacturing at Amgen By: Shane Greenstein, Kyle R. Myers and Sarah Mehta
  • Kermit PPI By: Kyle Myers, Matt Grennan and Sarah Mehta
  • Potentially Long-Lasting Effects of the Pandemic on Scientists By: Jian Gao, Yian Yin, Kyle R. Myers, Karim R. Lakhani and Dashun Wang
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