Importance of Investing in Research and Development

In 1966, two scientists got an $80,000 grant from the U.S. government to study microbes in Yellowstone’s hot springs. They basically went around sticking slides in hot mud to eventually prove for the first time that life could exist at such high temperatures. It sounded like obscure science for science's own sake—maybe even like a waste of taxpayer money. But from that research, they discovered a heat-resistant enzyme that years later became the foundation of PCR (polymerase chain reaction). PCR made it possible to rapidly copy DNA—an innovation that revolutionized genetic science. Processes that were either impossible or took teams of experts months were suddenly doable in a few hours. Fast forward decades, and because of that single grant: 🧬 The Human Genome Project was possible. 🧬 We mapped genes like BRAF, including the rare gene mutation I have. 🧬 We developed targeted therapies like Mekinist, designed to interrupt the exact signaling pathway my mutation hijacks. That random federal $80K grant? It led to me not dying. If the U.S. government doesn't invest $80,000 in scientists playing in the geiser mud at Yellowstone over 50 years ago, doctors today wouldn't be able to accurately diagnose diseases like mine and treatment might be limited to blunt, aggressive chemo and the hope 🤞 that it would be effective. Investing in science and research is precisely what makes our country great. Haphazardly eliminating federal grants will weaken our greatest strengths, and could literally result in the loss of lives that would otherwise have been saved thanks to advances made possible by the funded research. [I learned about this story from the awesome team at Radiolab Podcasts WNYC Studios and their podcast about it: https://lnkd.in/g-XJXH_B]

Scaling back fundamental research is akin to pulling roots from the economic orchard and still expecting fruit. Many of today’s essential technologies—from Siri and self-driving cars to life-saving vaccines—were initially nurtured by federal investments in university and government laboratories long before they became household staples. The iconic 1995 National Research Council’s "tire-tracks" diagram vividly captures how early federal research funding consistently blooms into world-leading industries. This innovation pipeline isn't accidental; it's America's deliberate strategy for sustained prosperity. Fundamental research provides fertile soil where groundbreaking ideas can take root and flourish. Consider Google's transformative search technology, which began with an NSF grant, or DARPA’s pioneering AI experiments, foundational to today's voice assistants like Siri. Yet, this thriving economic orchard faces a significant threat: underinvestment. Reducing support for foundational research today risks damaging the growth of tomorrow's trillion-dollar industries. Federal research is not merely an expense—it's a crucial investment with extraordinary returns, essential to preserving America's competitive edge and future economic success.

"The US is the world’s science superpower — but for how long?" Count me in the camp of those firing off the warning flares. Nature Magazine posed this provocative question in a late Oct 2024 article: https://lnkd.in/gaFHHr7E Now is a critical time to revisit as the new administration and Congress consider major reform and budget cuts to the federal government, including science agencies, with the March 14 funding deadline fast approaching. To start, several key indicators show the US is losing our lead to China, or has already lost it: 2016: China passed the US as top producer of science & engineering articles 2019: China passed the US in # of science & engineering PhDs awarded 2020: China passed the US in share of the world's top 1% cited papers 2021: China passed the US in international patent applications 2023: China passed the US in papers appearing in influential journals Moreover, China holds a global leadership position in several scientific fields as defined by share of top 1% of cited papers: >80%: Materials Science >70%: Chemistry, Engineering >60%: Computer Science, Environment & Ecology >50%: Physics Meanwhile, the US continues to lead the world in biomedical research. However, we should not take this for granted given how effectively China closed the gap and surpassed us in other fields. For the US to maintain our global science superpower status and reverse negative trendlines, federal funding is vitally important. Particularly for basic research focused on national security, public health, and public interest-oriented initiatives, with longer lead times and less likely to attract private investment initially. But which often yields transformational technological breakthroughs and major private investment downstream (SafeTraces, Inc. is a case in point). Reasons for concern vis-a-vis federal funding levels for R&D: 1. China is on pace to draw level with US R&D funding by 2030 2. Last year, federal funding to key agencies responsible for R&D hit its lowest share of US GDP since 1997 3. Federal funding as a share of overall US R&D funding has inverted since the 1960s (suggesting prolonged underinvestment) 4. Bipartisan congressional support for federal funding of R&D has never seemed more tenuous On 4, I sincerely hope that I am proven wrong over the course of the next month's extremely high stakes budget negotiations and beyond. Global scientific superpower status brings immense benefits to the US, both of the hard power sort (e.g. military, economic) and soft (e.g. health, talent). Increasing federal funding for R&D are table stakes for the US to compete and win in the world. Slashing federal funding will resign us to defeat.

Latest oped: America’s innovation engine is being undermined by Trump's assault on higher education Over the past quarter-century, I've witnessed America's startup ecosystem flourish, fueled by a unique blend of brainpower, risk-taking, and public investment in research. Our dominance wasn't accidental—it was the result of deliberate policy choices that prioritized education, innovation, and openness. However, this engine of innovation is now under threat. President Donald Trump's assault on higher education—through funding cuts, immigration clampdowns, and ideological battles—threatens to dismantle the very infrastructure that made America the world's innovation leader. Here's how: 1. Slashing R&D Investment Is a Strategic Gift to China Federal investment in university-based research has historically been a cornerstone of U.S. technological leadership. From the internet to mRNA vaccines, these breakthroughs originated in federally funded labs. Yet, the Trump administration has proposed a 40% reduction in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), terminated nearly 800 research projects, and frozen new grants at the National Science Foundation (NSF), not to mention holding many of our finest schools hostage to the tune of hundreds of millions, and some cases, billions of dollars. Meanwhile, China continues to increase its R&D spending, positioning itself to surpass the U.S. in key areas like artificial intelligence and biotechnology. By defunding our universities, we risk ceding our competitive edge to global rivals. 2. Brain Drain: Top Researchers Are Leaving The best faculty don't just teach—they build labs, spin out startups, and shape entire industries. Amid growing hostility toward academia and declining research support, they're being lured abroad. Countries such as Canada, Germany, Singapore and several others are offering top researchers funding, visas, and institutional respect. The result? American universities are losing talent that once would have seeded the next Google DeepMind, Moderna, or NVIDIA. When our researchers leave, they take their students, grants, and innovations with them. 3. Immigration Crackdowns Drive Away the Next Elon Musk America's startup scene is filled with names like Pichai, Nadella, and Brin—immigrants who came here to study, and stayed to build. International students account for over 70% of graduate students in key STEM fields. These are the future founders, CTOs, and patent holders. The Trump administration's hardline immigration policies—tightened student visas, work restrictions, and hostile rhetoric—have sent a chilling signal. Applications from international students have fallen sharply. Many are leaving, likely to continue their studies, research and building startups in Toronto, Berlin, Dubai or Bangalore instead. Losing this talent isn't just about diversity—it's about economic suicide. 4. The Talent Pipeline Is Drying Up... Link to full NJBIZ article in comments

As someone who earned my Ph.D. with the support of an NIH training grant, I know firsthand how critical federal funding is—not just for groundbreaking research but also for the development of future scientists. Without that support, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue the research that shaped my career and contributed to advancing knowledge in my field. That’s why the recent news about sweeping cuts to NIH and USAID funding under the current administration is so alarming. These cuts aren’t just affecting research labs at institutions like Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and UMass Chan—they’re disrupting the entire academic pipeline: **Ph.D. Programs in Jeopardy: UMass Chan rescinded offers to dozens of biomedical Ph.D. students because of funding uncertainties. Many institutions are scaling back graduate admissions and freezing hiring, leaving aspiring scientists with fewer opportunities to pursue their work. **Research on the Brink: NIH cuts will disrupt studies on cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and other diseases that affect millions. Critical long-term studies, like a landmark 30-year diabetes prevention project, may not survive. **A Global Brain Drain: As U.S. institutions face these challenges, other countries—like Canada and France—are seizing the opportunity to recruit disenchanted American researchers. But they can only absorb so much talent. The U.S. risks losing its next generation of innovators to nations that prioritize research investment. **Why It Matters: Cuts like these don’t just slow down science—they impact public health, delay life-saving treatments, and disproportionately harm communities that already face health disparities. Without consistent investment in research and training, we risk stalling progress for future generations. #ScienceMatters #NIH #ProtectResearch #STEMFunding #HealthEquity #BiomedicalResearch https://lnkd.in/e3apNVWi

After World War II, the US created the world’s greatest research enterprise, which has driven American innovation for decades. Rather than centralizing federal research, the US made the decision to conduct research at universities & institutes throughout the country by co-investing in the development of research infrastructure. By funding world-class facilities, the US attracted the best scientists to conduct breakthrough research, which in turn, secured private investment to turn that research into life-saving medicines. Today, #lifescience companies invest $65 for every dollar The National Institutes of Health (NIH) contributes to a successful drug. That’s an incredible return on investment. The Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to NIH’s indirect cost reimbursement, dismissed by some as mere “overhead”, threaten to undermine American exceptionalism, ceding our leadership in life sciences, global health & biosecurity to China. The current debate over capping federal research overhead rates misses the forest for the trees.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal is not wrong that India builds food delivery apps while China builds fabs. But deep tech requires deep commitment. India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) is just 0.6% of GDP—China’s is 2.4%, OECD average is 2.7%. Low input = low output. Startups chase bits because capex is light, approvals are fast and code doesn’t require having "chai" with inspectors. You don’t get world-class innovation by underfunding the basics. Contrast that with L V PRASAD EYE INSTITUTE —#1 in BRIICS, #6 globally and Top 10 in the world for over a decade. Why? Because we’ve invested 12–15% of our budget into R&D for 30 years. That’s what deep tech investment looks like. Fix the inputs—fund talent, reduce friction, invest for the long term. https://lnkd.in/gXju48Ez moneycontrol.com Chandra R. Srikanth LVPEI Center for Technology Innovation LVPEI Incubator INDO-AMERICAN EYE CARE SOCIETY INC #india #patientfirst #equity #excellence #ai #precisionhealth #regenerativemedicine #celltherapy #genetherapy #emtech #deeptech #robotics #sennsors #optics #autonomy #generativebiology #bioprinting

What Fuels a Nation’s Future? One Word: Research. Israel now leads the world in R&D intensity—investing 6.3% of GDP, or $28.3B, into research and development in 2023. That’s more than double the OECD average, and a clear signal: innovation isn’t a side project—it is the strategy. Right behind is South Korea at 5%, largely fueled by private sector ambition. The U.S., while spending the highest in absolute terms ($823.4B), allocates 3.4% of its GDP—behind Israel, Korea, Taiwan, and Sweden. Meanwhile, many developing nations barely invest at all. The gap between innovation economies and the rest of the world is not just about tech—it’s about priorities. In the age of AI, climate urgency, and geopolitical tension, R&D is national defense. It’s economic strategy. It’s future-proofing. If you’re building a future-ready nation, ask yourself: Are you investing in ideas—or just hoping for luck? #Innovation #R&D #Israel #SouthKorea #FutureEconomy #Leadership #SciencePolicy #AI #Geopolitics

This figure should make you nervous. While we’ve seen tremendous innovations in #agtech, U.S. funding for R&D is under threat. Over the past two decades, public funding for ag R&D has dropped by 20%, putting the future of our food supply at risk. If we don’t act now, we could lose the momentum that has fueled innovation and ensured global food security for generations. In my recent opinion piece at the Talk Business & Politics, I outline three ways the business world can make a difference: 1. Advocate for increased R&D funding in the #FarmBill to keep U.S. agriculture at the forefront of global #innovation. 2. Push for boosted state support for agricultural #ExperimentStations and #CooperativeExtension programs to ensure farmers have access to the latest technology and research. 3. Foster #PublicPrivatePartnerships that accelerate the development of groundbreaking ag technologies. Public research is a prerequisite for a sustainable and secure future of the #foodsystem. The future of farming depends on our commitment to funding the research that will drive the next wave of agricultural breakthroughs. https://lnkd.in/gcEdtD7W