From Mary Woolley, President, Research!America
WASHINGTON—March 13, 2007—Research!America applauds the initiatives underway in the 110th Congress to advance innovation and competitiveness in America. Our nation's commitment to these goals must entail strong, consistent funding for medical, health and scientific research, as well as policy that removes obstacles to medical and scientific discoveries by the public and private sector.
Research!America supports the calls, in bipartisan legislation proposed in the Senate, to substantially increase funding for basic research agencies such as the National Science Foundation and to encourage funds for the kind of pioneering higher-risk research that can lead to significant advances.
Congress is also to be applauded for seeking to strengthen educational and early-career opportunities in research. Legislation proposed in the House, under the leadership of Rep. Bart Gordon (TN) would provide grants to outstanding early-career scientists and create graduate research assistantships in areas of need. Such proposals may encourage more young Americans to pursue scientific careers at a time when our economy is increasingly knowledge-based and our global leadership in scientific research is facing stronger competition from other nations.
A recent Research!America poll found that 97% of Americans felt it was important for the United States to be a global leader in scientific research and that science is important to our competitiveness (according to 96% of Americans), our standard of living (94%) and our economy (94%).
America's economic future is tied to our investment in scientific and medical research. We encourage Congress to make innovation a priority by supporting initiatives that advance our competitive standing in this regard. The time is now, and we are encouraged that Congress is prepared to act.
About Research!America
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority.