This study investigates the extent of disparities between high-income and low-and-middle income country researchers in donor supported research for development. It analyses differences in representation, corresponding authorship, and international collaboration between donor country, other high-income country, and low-and-middle income country researchers on scientific articles published between 2016 and 2020, supported by DfID, JICA, SIDA, and USAID. The findings reveal that donor country researchers were generally the best represented and positioned to make greater contributions to supported research. However, SIDA supported research publications tended to better represent and position lower-middle income country researchers than Swedish researchers indicating a more recipient driven pattern of aid allocation. Based on the findings, it is necessary to further promote low-and-middle income country researcher leadership and collaboration on donor supported research.