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Full text of the letter:
The Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI)—a coalition of U.S. businesses, industry trade groups, scientific and engineering societies, and university organizations who support the federally funded U.S. science and technology (S&T) research enterprise—strongly urges you to prioritize federal investments in basic science research in the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Appropriations conference process.
As you work to finalize the spending bills for FY24, we ask that you provide robust funding across the innovation ecosystem that is critical to our nation’s future. Specifically, we request any final package to include increased funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Defense (DOD) 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 basic research programs.
The fundamental research performed and sponsored by these agencies provides the unique advances in knowledge necessary for truly innovative and groundbreaking solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges. These investments often lead to novel technologies and products that improve our security and enhance our way of life. And federal research and development (R&D) funding and related infrastructure helps create and sustain a 21st century American workforce.
To that end, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 established a roadmap to rebuild our nation’s research infrastructure in a sustainable manner and to continue to out-innovate our global competitors in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, and quantum technology. These ambitious goals are realized through the steady progression of critical advancements, fueled by fundamental research today and the scientific infrastructure and workforce that enables it.
Unfortunately, a recent Federation of American Scientists’ report suggests that Congress is currently on track to appropriate $7.5 billion less than is authorized by CHIPS and Science for FY24. We encourage the conferees to address this shortfall and aim for the funding levels authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act. Failure to do so risks slowing the pace of American innovation and allows our global competitors to gain an edge in these critical areas of technology.
In short, we urge the conference committee to invest in fundamental research and research infrastructure in FY24, with the knowledge that those funds will drive workforce development, defend national security, and deliver prosperity in our country. While the fruits of basic science may take years, even decades to fully ripen, we must continue to make these critical investments to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of discovery and innovation for generations to come.
Sincerely,
The Task Force on American Innovation