An analysis of research and development (R&D) funding in New England is presented in four sections: (1) total federal obligations for R&D to the region (e.g., New England received 8.8% of all federal obligations for R&D that were made nationally in 1986, and of the 1986 funds obligated nationally to colleges and universities, over 11% were awarded in New England); (2) federal obligations to colleges and universities through 1986 (e.g., the New England region ranked first when federal obligations to all U.S. colleges and universities were analyzed on a per-capita basis, and 10 New England institutions of higher education rank among the 100 receiving the largest amounts nationally); (3) R&D expenses at doctorate granting colleges and universities through 1986 (e.g., R&D expenditures at New England institutions of higher education are higher on a per-capita basis than in any other region, and though the Federal Government remains the major source for R&D funds expended by New England colleges and universities, they were less so in 1986 than in 1981); and (4) biomedical R&D: National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding awards through 1987 (e.g. in terms of NIH awards to all domestic institutions in 1987, 15 New England organizations ranked among the top 100 nationally, and 65% NIH funds to New England were awarded to medical schools and teaching hospitals). While New England fared well in R&D funds in 1986, it was not without a few comparative disadvantages that must be taken into public policy consideration. (SM)