June 2026: 1.11% (B- grade)

Nebraska inventionINDEX June 2026: 1.11% (B- grade)

The inventionINDEX measures innovation output by comparing GDP growth with patent production growth.

Anything over C grade is positive sentiment; anything under C is negative outlook/sentiment. Using that sentiment, it is possible to observe trends over time, and also compare states/countries. In doing so, we can predict which states have the best chance to recover economically from the pandemic (or any other economic incident that may occur).

Historical Nebraska inventionINDEX Scores

The Nebraska inventionINDEX score for the past 12 months is shown in the table below.

The recent performance of the Nebraska inventionINDEX demonstrates a stabilizing trend as it heads into mid-2026, with June and May both recording a score of 1.11% and earning a B- rating. This score aligns precisely with the historical 60-month median, signaling a healthy recovery from the turbulent fluctuations experienced in the preceding months of the year. When evaluated against the broader timeline, the current index reflects a resilient innovation ecosystem that is holding its ground amidst economic shifts. This steadiness provides local stakeholders with a predictable baseline, showing that Nebraska’s inventive output remains competitive and consistent with its multi-year average.

A deeper historical retrospective reveals significant volatility over the past five years, marked by high peaks and sharp contractions. The highest point in the dataset was achieved in June 2021, when the index soared to an impressive 1.48% with an A+ rating, followed by strong performances in January 2024 at 1.33% and March 2026 at 1.23%. On the other end of the spectrum, the index experienced its lowest historical contraction in February 2025, plunging to 0.82% and receiving an F grade. More recently, a steep drop occurred in April 2026 to 0.88% with a D rating, illustrating that while the state frequently achieves exceptional innovation peaks, it remains susceptible to short-term declines.

Securing a higher score and grade on the inventionINDEX brings numerous positive outcomes for Nebraska’s economic and academic landscapes. Higher marks, such as the A-range grades observed periodically throughout the last 60 months, represent a robust acceleration in patent activities, technological developments, and entrepreneurial vigor. These superior ratings act as a powerful signal to venture capitalists and external corporations, indicating a fertile ground for investment and collaborative partnerships. Furthermore, elevated scores boost regional morale, validate state-sponsored research initiatives, and encourage local creators to aggressively pursue new concepts, thereby strengthening the state’s position as an emerging hub of technological advancement.

Conversely, the negative implications of a lower score or a failing grade can hinder regional momentum and discourage economic growth. When the index dips into the D or F categories, it typically indicates a slowdown in intellectual property filings, friction within the commercialization process, or a temporary reduction in research funding. These lower scores can diminish investor confidence, making it more challenging for local startups to secure vital seed capital. Over time, sustained low ratings risk triggering a brain drain, where top-tier scientific and engineering talent departs for regions with more dynamic innovation metrics, highlighting the importance of policy measures to prevent protracted declines and support steady development.

Discussion:

In June, the Nebraska inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the downward trend for the year. This is similar to the prior 12 months, which experienced a slight downward trend.

As the economy continues to stabilize in the post-pandemic era, it remains uncertain whether any backlog of applications still exists or if the department has returned to normal processing timelines. The inventionINDEX could also be affected by lingering consequences from the pandemic, such as company closures, reduced workforces, and limited R&D capabilities, which may still be impacting current operations.

Learn More:
Are you thinking of patenting any of your bright ideas? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.

Swanson Reed’s Nebraska office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island and Kearney

Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D tax specialists if you would like to learn more about R&D tax credit opportunities.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is the largest Specialist R&D tax credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D tax credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D tax credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.

Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/free-webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.