Th e innovation deficit is the widening gap between needed and actual federal support for STEM education and research, particularly compared to other nations that are dramatically increasing investments in those areas. These investments contribute significantly to long– term economic growth. More than 200 U.S. university presidents have signed a letter sent to you this summer urging you to close the innovation deficit. And more than a dozen national business associations sent you a letter in September echoing that message.

The many companies, universities, and scientific societies that this Task Force represents share their view that our role as the world’s innovation leader is in serious jeopardy due to inadequate federal support for research and STEM education. We believe that America must maintain a commitment to its competitiveness and future innovation capabilities. This commitment is vital to short– and long–term economic growth, especially in the competitive global economy.

We understand the broader fiscal pressures our nation faces and applaud your focus on this fundamental challenge. Indeed, this coalition has frequently urged you to come together and negotiate a major long–term budget agreement that not only protects coming generations from unsustainable debt but also ensures our ability to invest in their future. However, undermining the nation’s support for research and STEM education will not help resolve this problem; instead it will exacerbate it, slowing down the engine that drives the innovation and economic growth that are necessary to long–term deficit and debt reduction.

Wise decisions now can create a powerful legacy for future generations of Americans. We call upon you to close the innovation deficit by recommitting to strong and sustained federal support for research and STEM education. We stand ready to partner with you in this effort.