The following is a statement from Association of American Universities President Barbara R. Snyder about the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act:
We applaud Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), and Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) for reintroducing the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act. We also thank the cosponsors of this critically important legislation. The revised bill recognizes that our nation’s future prosperity and leadership are inextricably linked to scientific innovation. It would authorize the creation of a new directorate at the National Science Foundation; create important new programs within that agency to expand our nation’s research capacity; and advance research in areas essential to our nation’s economic competitiveness, health, and security.
The Endless Frontier Act’s bold investments in the NSF will help ensure that the United States stays at the forefront of global scientific advancement and innovation. The bill would create new programs within NSF to spur faster technology transfer from academic research environments into commercial applications, fostering more rapid economic growth from scientific advancements. In addition to authorizing the new directorate, AAU believes it is also imperative to bolster existing NSF programs. As the Endless Frontier Act moves through the legislative process, we strongly urge legislators to authorize and appropriate funding for both the new directorate and increased investments in existing NSF programs.
We are strongly committed to working with Congress to improve, advance, and fund this bill and similar bipartisan proposals to strengthen our nation’s scientific enterprise for the future.
Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.