A new analysis of National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awards and funding trends raises concerns about the future of the U.S. research enterprise. The data indicate the NSF is on pace for its lowest level of research grantmaking in more than 50 years, with both the number of awards and the total dollars committed to new scientific research falling to levels not seen since the 1970s and 1980s. Adjusted for inflation and population growth, federal investment in scientific discovery is approaching historic lows.
The Council on Competitiveness has long championed the need for sustained investment in basic and applied research as the foundation of America's innovation leadership. From breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and biotechnology to advanced manufacturing, energy, and national security, tomorrow's industries depend on today's scientific discoveries. As global competitors accelerate investments in research and innovation, maintaining U.S. leadership will require renewed commitment to the nation's science and technology enterprise.
