On May 8, the Science Coalition honored 28 Champions of Science for their commitment to maintaing federal funding for university research at a Breakfast of Champions. The Champion of Science award recognizes members of Congress whose actions and votes consistently reflect their belief that basic research, conducted at universities and national labs across the country, is essential to continuing American innovation, competitiveness and economic growth.

The looming budget sequester stands to have a devastating impact on federally funded university research. Learn more at ScienceWorksforUS.org.

The Golden Goose Award honors researchers whose seeming odd or obscure federally funded research resulted in scientific discoveries that have had a significant impact on society. This year's first annual Golden Goose Award recognized eight scientists whose work has transformed technology, medicine and countless lives.

Behind every transformative advance are people-- scientists and engineers, students and teachers-- driven by a need to know and committed to the pursuit of discovery. They are, in every sense of the word, innovators. This new report and video series from The Science Coaliton (TSC) explores how these individuals are enhancing America's capacity to innovate-- something that is essential in an incresingly competetive, knowledge-based global economy.

Listen to All Things Research 2012, an on-the-record, roundtable discussion on the state of U.S. science, technology and innovation with experts from leading research universities. This unique opportunity provided reporters with an arena to hear from and ask questions of people with a broad view of America’s research enterprise, who are engaged in research themselves, and who are actively working to move innovations from the lab to the marketplace. View pictures from the event.

Scientific research conducted at universities across the country is helping to make our nation safer and more secure. From nano-materials research to mine engineering, and plasma physics to differential reflectometry, and behavioral science to biosystems, science is at the core of the tools, technologies and policies that aim to keep us safe.