WASHINGTON – The Science Coalition (TSC) today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ markup of fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations for key research agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF):
“With the future of U.S. competitiveness top of mind on Capitol Hill, investing in federal research agencies and their university partners is essential work to strengthen our position as a global leader, drive next-generation innovations, and spur economic development. While Senate appropriators are facing constraints, their proposed budget cuts to fundamental research would shrink the innovation economy and slows progress towards our long-term goals,” said TSC President Laura Kolton. “As we look to put the CHIPS and Science Act into motion, we must fully fund forward-thinking programs like NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and build bridges instead of roadblocks. As the appropriations process continues, we urge legislators to prioritize increased funding allocations that will maximize our nation’s competitive edge and lay the groundwork for future success.”
A recent nationwide poll conducted by The Science Coalition found the American public overwhelmingly supports increase federal investment in fundamental research, and a majority of voters believe scientific investment should increase annually.
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About the Science Coalition
Established in 1994, The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive America’s global competitiveness.