Drive breakthroughs, advance
global competitiveness, address societal challengeS, and strengthen our national security

with commitments to fundamental discovery research, applied research, and research infrastructure

Much of America’s competitive advantage has been propelled by our federal commitment to fundamental discovery research. Further, many areas of science and technology fueled by this commitment have become crucial to innovation and national security – these include artificial intelligence, materials science, biotechnology, quantum computing, and technologies for a resilient energy future.

Alarmingly, however, the US has lost or is losing its competitive advantage in a growing number of these critical fields – often overtaken by China. Federal support for fundamental discovery research needs to be strengthened and stabilized to realize our potential future groundbreaking discoveries. The private sector alone cannot drive these areas forward. The risks and uncertainty are too high, and the infrastructure required is too immense for the private sector to do it alone.

Renewal of our commitment to fundamental discovery research in all fields coupled with strategic investments in applied research will ensure our nation’s continued ability to meet critical security, economic, health, and environmental challenges.

There is broad, cross-sectoral convergence that federal funding for fundamental discovery research is critical, evidenced by:

  • Recommendations made by the Bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence to increase funding for fundamental discovery research in emerging technologies.

  • Industry leaders say that federal investment in fundamental discovery research today enables the emerging industries of tomorrow.

  • Data showing the general public overwhelmingly agrees that fundamental discovery research that advances frontiers of knowledge should be supported by the federal government.

In addition to commitments to our own infrastructure, we must strike the right balance between preserving vital international research partnerships and strengthening our research security that protects American discoveries from exploitation.

    • Aggressively strengthen investment in artificial intelligence, materials science, quantum computing, biotechnology, and technologies for a resilient energy future 

    • Establish a recurring national priority-setting process to confirm areas of research that are foundational to national competitiveness and security 

    • Sustain and grow the federal government’s vital role in supporting fundamental discovery research 

    • Invest government resources to assure that America’s national science and technology infrastructure is equipped to support fundamental discovery and applied research  

    • Strengthen research security to prevent illegal and improper transfer of US research and development; create policies that are as open and streamlined as possible and as secure as needed

There is strong bipartisan support for basic research that advances the frontiers of knowledge.

We have been guided throughout by a framework of questioning whether every element of our recommendations will:  

  • Improve American competitiveness.

  • Build and empower the vital workforce that is at the heart of our nation’s success.

  • Avoid counterproductive outcomes, such as unstable federal funding, that delay scientific progress.

Looking ahead, we believe decision makers at all levels must also adopt this framework.  Using this framework will ensure our global competitiveness and national security.