Washington, DC—The Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI), a coalition of companies, university associations, and professional societies that support sustained and robust federal investment in scientific research, today released the following statement on the release of President Trump’s FY18 budget proposal:

In recent years, other nations have significantly increased their R&D funding, while U.S. investments have remained relatively stagnant. Unfortunately, the Administration’s FY18 budget would erode the investment needed to maintain America’s status as the global innovation leader. With the cuts to basic research offered in the FY18 budget, our nation risks creating an innovation deficit, which would diminish our ability to compete globally, to grow our economy, and to safeguard our nation.

Federal basic research investments have led to the innovations that have fueled American jobs and economic growth, improved health, and bolstered national security in the decades since World War II.

TFAI looks forward to working with Congress and the White House to enact a budget more in line with what our nation needs to keep us safe, secure, healthier, and prosperous.