Science and engineering advances are essential to fueling future economic growth for all and addressing our biggest challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and public health preparedness and response. Our nation must invest in research and development – and in the people at the heart of the scientific enterprise – to solve these challenges and remain internationally competitive. We are pleased that the detailed version of President Biden’s budget plan retains a focus on supporting key federal research and development agencies. The removal of R&D from recent infrastructure negotiations means the FY 2022 request takes on even greater importance for the research enterprise.
We have been greatly encouraged by the bipartisan focus on innovation in Congress this year, and we hope Congress will continue this momentum to deliver strong and sustained support for federal R&D. To keep potentially life-changing discoveries flowing, we must also invest in educating and retaining a diverse pool of talent. As COVID-19 has once again demonstrated, we can’t always predict where the next breakthrough will emerge – but we know we want it to be here in the United States. The time is now, and AAAS stands ready to assist.