Prepare Yourself to Talk about Federal Science Funding at Risk
What You Need to Know
Over the past several years, federal investments in research and development have been decreasing. While the historical numbers appear to be trending upwards, when we look at buying power as a function of inflation and convert the numbers to a constant point, we can see the sharp reduction over time.
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Historically, funding for research and development has been 1.2% of GDP, but with the recent cuts, we find that the numbers are able to barely keep up with inflation. ACS urges policymakers to restore investments in federal R&D funding to levels closer to the 1.2% of GDP.
Effect of Sequestration on Federal Funding
(dollars in millions)
Agency/Program | FY2012 | FY2013 | FY2014 | FY2015 | FY2016* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dept. of Defense Science & Technology | 13,950 | 12,360 | 13,120 | 13,450 | 13,000 |
Dept. of Energy Science & Technology | 11,320 | 11,010 | 12,160 | 11,750 | 12,270 |
National Institutes of Health | 31,420 | 29,160 | 29,660 | 29,030 | 29,180 |
National Science Foundation | 7,440 | 7,100 | 7,230 | 7,340 | 7,600 |
National Institute of Standards & Technology: Scientific & Technical Research & Services | 567 | 579.8 | 651 | 675.5 | 754.7 |
*Reflects President's requested budget
In 2013, the U.S. took a cut of nearly 1 trillion dollars over 10 years to federal financing. This cut, called sequestration, has dramatically reduced federal support for basic scientific research and development.
What You Can Do
Contact your representatives and local media to stress the need to sustain predictable federal scientific investment to enable long-term economic growth.
- Emphasize how federal investment in science & technology (S&T) pays important dividends. Share how federal agencies have funded your research and helped shape your career. In simple, layman’s terms give examples of how your research has led to important discoveries.
- Explain that while we understand the economic climate is difficult, sustained federal investment in R&D and STEM education is critical to growing the economy and enhancing U.S. competitiveness.
- Augment your message with examples.
Related Resources
Funding in Action
- Voices of Research Videos
- Cellular printing using laser technology to create tissue and organ models
- Fundamental research leads to development of drug innovations to treat cancer, leukemia, and malaria
- Improving energy efficiency of combustion engines
- Super-resolution chemical imaging advances drug discovery and creating new materials
Articles
- “One chart shows serious reasons to be concerned about the future of US research,” Kevin Loria, Business Insider
- “Battle over Science Funding Gets Fiercer in U.S. Congress,” Rebecca Trager and ChemistryWorld, Scientific American
- “U.S. Science Suffering From Booms and Busts in Funding,” Richard Harris, Robert Benincasa, NPR
- “Lubell: Lessons from the Cliffhanger,” Mike Lubell, CQ RollCall
- “Hutchison: Keep Investing in science and technology,” former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Austin Statesman
Other Resources
- Research!America Publications
- Council on Competitiveness - Publications
- National Academies of Science Press:
- Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future (2007)
- Rising Above the Gathering Storm, Revisited: Rapidly Approaching Category 5 (2010)
- Measuring the Impacts of Federal Investments in Research: A Workshop Summary (2011)
- Furthering America’s Research Enterprise (2014)
- Restoring the Foundation: The Vital Role of Research in Preserving the American Dream, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2014)
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