May 16, 2025
The United States risks losing its leadership of science and technology (S&T) and with it, national security, prosperity and undisputed control of its destiny in America. The military force comes from economic strength and economic strength comes from a robust and relentless cycle of discovery and innovation. In short, S&T is the new global currency of power.
Recognizing that American scientific and technological prowess has fueled its success since the Second World War, countries around the world today invest massively in S&T. Since 2000, global investment in research and development has more than doubled. Today, the We no longer direct the world in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) production of doctoral diplomas, research publications and patents.1 As President Trump said,,2 To win the technological race with our geopolitical opponents, America must quickly accelerate its investment in critical and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum IT and biotechnology. The United States must Also Stay at the forefront of discovery to direct the development and deployment of future technologies that we cannot imagine today.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the keystone of American progress and prosperity, investing only in all scientific fields and engineers. Today’s critical areas have attracted a partly private investment explosion because NSF supported research at the start of the stage in these areas years ago. For example, the NSF network, created in 1985 in coordination with industry and the academic world, was a precursor of today’s privatized Internet which is now assessed in billions of dollars. At the same time, the Foundation is developing the next generation of STEM national workers, from semiconductor technicians to computer scientists and quantum engineers. The key to this remarkable heritage was the devoted staff of the foundation who identifies the meritorious ideas with the most transformative potential. They are also a national asset.
The landscape of science and engineering has changed radically3 In the past 75 years. Today, the United States is performing a 20th CENTURY S&T EXTERPRISE IN A 21st world of the century. We have overwhelmed our research company with administrative processes that researchers and decision -makers agree that too slow and too heavy. It is time to continue reforms that unleash our federal agencies and national laboratories to easily associate with industry to meet urgent national needs, speed up the translation of research towards societal and economic advantages, build a robust interior stem workforce and guarantee our national defense.
Thanks to a long history of bipartisan support, the 75 years of NSF strategic investments have delivered Remarkable yields for American society.4 To win the future, America needs a robust Next generation NSF which will continue to carry out the foundations statutory mission5 To support the most meritorious S&T research and other purposes while responding to the president’s imperative to improve speed, transparency and impact. Nesf Next Gruption Will:
- Prioritize daring and ambitious fundamental research which throws the stockings following great
- Make federal dollars a multiplier of strength by expanding partnerships with the business, state, philanthropic sectors and other sectors
- Athoring the threat of technological surprise by coordinating research initiatives with the Ministry of Defense and other national security entities
- Develop domestic STEM talents in critical and emerging areas via increased direct support for the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians.
President Trump instructed our nation leaders to “… renew the American scientific business for the coming century”. Performing this vision requires resources. To open a path to the next borders of science and engineering and win the S&T world race,,6 Federal investment in research in science and engineering7 Must match the aspirations of the president and the congress. The private sector is based on long -term federal investments in start -up research,,8 And American industry leaders9 were frank: They will not compensate for the drastic reductions of federal funds.10 Foreign opponents will benefit from this if we do not act cautiously. The Council raises this within the framework of its statutory obligation to advise the Congress and the President.
In these difficult times for the American research community, we remain unshakable in our commitment to the continuation of scientific progress for the benefit of society. Based on a long tradition of national support, we are convinced that creative scientists, engineers and technicians, devoted and resilients in all sectors will prosper in the new 21st Century S&T ecosystem that we can continue to build together.
Nsf is A key pillar of security and the strength of our nation.11.12 The National Science Board will work with the administration, the congress and the scientific community to make the new generation of the NSF a reality and to invigorate the American company S&T to ensure the prosperity and the security of our nation for the next 75 years. The moment is now.
All members of the National Science Board listed below approved this declaration:
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Victor R. McCrary, Theater chair
Sudarsanam Suresh Babu
Roger N. Beachy
Aaron Dominguez
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Yolanda Gil
Juan E. Gilbert
Dorota Grejner-Brzezinski
Melvyn Huff
Jeffrey Isaacson
Matthew Malkan
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Willie E. May
Sarah O’Donnell
Ryan Panchadsaram
Julia M. Phillips
Marvi Matos Rodriguez
Scott Stanley
Keivan Stassun
Merlin Theodore
Wanda E. Ward
Bevlee Watford
Heather Wilson
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1 “Monitoring and examining the priorities of the National Science Foundation for 2025 and beyond”, Dan Reed, president emeritus of the NSB, testimony to the subcommittee of research and technology, Committee of Sciences, Space and Technology, May 16, 2024
2 President Donald Trump, letter to Michael Kratsios, Director of the Office of Scientific and Technological Policy of the White House, March 26, 2025
3 Connected horizons: new opportunities in a changed landscapeDarío Gil, president of the NSB, September 2024
4 “Babin, Obernolte celebrates the 75 years of NSF innovation”, president of the research and technology subcommittee, the president of research and technology, Jay Obernolte, May 9, 2025
5 The National Science Foundation Act from 1950, PL 81-507
6 President Donald Trump, letter to Michael Kratsios, Director of the Office of Scientific and Technological Policy of the White House, March 26, 2025
7 “R&D financing is not a gift for the academic world, it’s vital for American security”, Senator Todd Young and Matt Pottinger, The Washington PostMarch 24, 2025
8 “While funding for research dries for American sciences, few alternatives appear:: Private investors to support fundamental biomedical research ”, Chemical & Engineering News, March 31, 2025
9 “Winning the AI race: strengthening American IT and innovation capacities”, Brad Smith, Vice-President and President of Microsoft, May 8, 2025
10 “Private companies are trying to fill the research shortcomings, but their” puny “budgets are not up to federal funds”, ” The guardianMay 1, 2025
11 “The NSF is a key pillar of national security – is not the time to disarm”, Center for Strategic & International Studies, May 1, 2025
12 President Donald Trump, executive decree 14283, Initiative of the White House to promote excellence and innovation in historically black colleges and universitiesApril 23, 2025
The US National Science Foundation propels the country in the long term by advancing basic research in all areas of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and financing to support their ingenuity and support the United States as a world leader in research and innovation. With an exercise budget 2023 of $ 9.5 billion, the NSF funds reach 50 states through subsidies to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and awards around 11,000 new prices. These prices include support for cooperative research with research and operations of industry, Arctic and Antarctica, as well as the participation of the United States in international scientific efforts.
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