Implementation in R&D refers to who implements or carries out Scientific Research or Technological Development. There are three implementation sectors:

Administration:According to the Frascati Manual, this sector comprises:

1. All ministries, offices and other bodies providing collective services, generally free of charge, which would not otherwise be economical or easy to provide and which also manage public affairs and the economic and social policy of the community. (Public companies are included in the business sector.)
2. Private Non-Profit Institutions controlled and financed primarily by the administration.

Higher Education: According to the Frascati Manual, this sector comprises all universities and university-level centres, regardless of their source of resources or legal status. It also includes all research institutes, experiment stations and hospitals directly controlled, managed or associated with higher education centres.

Business: According to the Frascati Manual, this sector comprises:

1. All companies, bodies and institutions whose core activity is the commercial production of goods and services (except those in higher education) for sale to the public, at a price corresponding to economic reality.
2. Private non-profit institutions that are essentially at the service of these businesses.