The United States became the world’s scientific, economic, and military leader in the 20th century by making bold and sustained investments in scientific research – and we must renew that commitment now to ensure that China doesn’t take our place at the forefront of global science and innovation.
In Brief
What's the problem?
The new presidential administration and Congress have repeatedly said they want to ensure America is the world’s leader – but chronic underinvestment in scientific research has put us in danger of losing our global leadership role in science, technology, talent, and innovation. As our economy has grown, our investments in life-changing science have declined. In fact, federal science budgets for the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) are at a 25-year low as a share of GDP, and projections for the coming fiscal year continue that trend. In the meantime, advancements in technologies like AI are rapidly transforming many industries, from education to quantum computing, and other nations are meeting the moment and deeply investing in their own innovation and talent development and recruitment.
The United States will inevitably cede global leadership in science and innovation at the rates we are currently investing in federal science and technology. Losing this leadership role will lead to disastrous consequences for our nation’s economy, health, and prosperity. Even as America lags behind, by many measures China is surpassing us as a global leader in certain areas of science, technology and innovation. This is because the Chinese government is doing the opposite of the United States: significantly increasing their investments in scientific research.
What's the solution?
Our country’s most prosperous era – the middle of the 20th century – was also the era that saw the greatest government investments in scientific research as a share of GDP. Let’s put America back on track to be the global leader in science and innovation by fully funding the amounts Congress has already authorized for DOE’s Office of Science, NIST, and the NSF through Fiscal Year 2027. Congress authorized – but so far has not appropriated funds to make – these investments to address key technology needs and national security concerns and to strengthen the America’s competitiveness on the global stage. Funding for fundamental scientific research must be a top priority – even in times of fiscal constraint and addressing our federal deficit – if we are to stay ahead in this race pivotal to our economic and national security.
What's at stake?
Research is critical to our country because it leads to benefits that improve lives. From agricultural innovations improving crop yields and food productivity to life-saving public health medicines and treatments to technologies that keep our national defense strong and personal information secure, federal research and development creates tangible results for all Americans.
While U.S. investments in research have been stagnant at best, China and other nations have increased their investments in critical technologies, STEM infrastructure, and the future workforce. China knows that investments in critical areas of research and technology will help them advance their offensive and defensive capabilities.
The average rate of increase in Chinese R&D over the decade from 2010 to 2019 (the most recent years available) was triple the U.S. rate. This means that, at current rates of investment, China may surpass the United States in scientific investment soon. In evaluating the share of research publications which rank among the world's most cited documents, China has already surpassed the United States.
Diving Deeper
In 2022, Congress passed bipartisan legislation which funded $50 billion for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This bill also authorized – but left up to further legislation to appropriate – almost $200 billion in funding for key federal science agencies for us to remain competitive in semiconductors and other areas.
These ambitious funding targets included authorizations for DOE’s Office of Science, NIST, and the NSF for fiscal years 2023-2027.
The main goals of the legislation were to invigorate the domestic semiconductor industry and make sure we do not cede leadership in innovation to China.
Since the CHIPS and Science Act passed, Congress has not provided the significant funding increases called for by the legislation.
At the same time China has dramatically increased its investments in research and development, it has also prioritized workforce development. China now has more researchers employed than both the U.S. and our allies in Europe.
China and other nations are serious about making investments in critical technologies, STEM infrastructure, and the future workforce.
Failure to fund science has opened the door for competitors such as China to rapidly become the leader in innovation and emerging tech.
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