AAAS Framework for Federal Science Policy
Cover Letter

The Honorable Vernon Ehlers
Vice Chairman, Committee on Science
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Dr. Ehlers:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, I am pleased to transmit the enclosed paper, prepared by the Board as a contribution to the House Science Committee’s National Science Policy Study. An earlier draft of this paper was posted on the AAAS website in March. The enclosed revised version reflects comments and suggestions from AAAS members on-line, as well as a series of reviews by the Board.

AAAS strongly supports a science and technology policy that commits the federal government to:

• maintaining U.S. preeminence in all major areas of scientific research and education,
• fostering the intricate and powerful linkages among science, technology, and societal goals, and
• providing the world’s best education for advanced science and engineering, while cultivating the scientific and technological literacy essential for our diverse citizenry to participate effectively in the decisions and events that shape their lives.

Our paper discusses five areas that we believe deserve special attention in the development of a new science policy:

• reaffirming the partnership between the federal government and the nation’s research and educational institutions;
• enhancing education for scientists and engineers while raising the scientific and technological literacy of all citizens;
• planning for rapid advances in science and technology and their impacts on society;
• managing and making use of the international character of science and technology; and
• facilitating collaborations between disciplines, institutions, and sectors.

We believe that the times call for a bold, new national vision for science and technology and, as we celebrate our 150^th anniversary, we in AAAS stand ready to assist you in responding to this historic challenge.

Sincerely,

Mildred S. Dresselhaus
Chairman, AAAS Board of Directors

cc: AAAS Board of Directors
Richard S. Nicholson, Executive Officer
Albert H. Teich, Director, Science and Policy Programs