SCIENCE, CULTURED

Nerd Busters

GQ’s new “Rock Stars of Science” campaign should give not just disease sufferers, but America’s scientists, hope.

Where Is Science Going? Panel Discusses Science Next

Federal funding support for basic scientific research wasn’t always a focal point of government policy. In fact, President John Quincy Adams’s arguements for “internal improvements” such as the establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures, a survey of [...]

FINANCING SCIENCE

Needed: Professional Research Technicians

Scientists need professional research technicians the way doctors need professional nurses, but grant-based research programs rarely provide for these key positions.

Obama Talks to National Academies About Swine Flu, Investing 3 Percent of GDP in R&D

This morning, President Obama addressed the National Academies of Sciences, laying out the imperative for sustained government investment in scientific research. He said his administration would commit more funding to R&D than during the Apollo program (see Update below): I [...]

WEISS'S NOTEBOOK

No Bailout for Biodiversity

Despite being major engines for local economies and important sites for informal science education, section 1604 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 makes it explicitly illegal to appropriate even a dollar of bailout money to aquariums or zoos.

Americans Agree on Government Science Funding

Just a few weeks ago, some conservative policymakers and commentators were questioning the value of using stimulus funds to invest in scientific research. Fortunately, Congress and the Obama administration ignored their backwards logic and instead made a down payment on [...]

FY2010 Budget Proposes Essential Investments in Innovation Clusters

The Obama administration’s proposed FY2010 budget reflects a sweeping re-thinking of priorities for the U.S. government. A welcome change from previous budgets, the administration makes a significant investment in developing regional centers of innovation, business incubators, and other strategies to [...]

Don’t Bury the Next Generation of Researchers Under Billions in NIH Funding

The NIH has about $10 billion from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act to pour into job-creating grants and research infrastructure. The Scientist reports that the new Challenge Grants program will direct $200 million of that money towards areas of high-priority [...]

Quick Takes on Science and Tech in the President’s Budget

A quick glance at a couple early takes on R&D funding in President Obama’s budget request outline for FY2010: Science Insider: NIH details are sketchy, but include increases; NSF would see 8.5 percent bump; more for scientific facilities though DOE’s [...]

Buckets of Jobs

Last week acting NIH director Raynard Kington described the outlines of the Institutes’ participation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, popularly known as the stimulus package. New NIH funding totals $10.4 billion. Conservatives with a limited understanding [...]

Down Payment on a Scientific Future

Several science budgets fared well in the Recovery and Reinvestment Act compromise, but cross your fingers that we won’t need additional resources to combat bird flu.

Data Bank: Science in the Stimulus

Here’s a glance at science-related R&D in the recovery package. Note that the “FY2009 Stimulus Final” is a one-time addition to FY2009 funding. But as FY2009 appropriations are incomplete, these agencies are operating under a continuing resolution at FY2008 funding [...]

Senate Stimulus Proposal Could Stifle Innovation Support

Cutting science out of the stimulus bill is like killing the goose that lays the nation’s golden eggs. How else is the United States going to cut healthcare costs, reduce energy dependence and ensure sustainable security except through the waves [...]

Senate Multiplies Biomed Stimulus

The Senate is doubling down on the House proposal to support biomedical research and innovation with the recovery and reinvestment package—and then some. The Senate version of the stimulus bill originally provided $3.5 billion in funds for the National Institutes [...]

FINANCING SCIENCE

Innovation Is Central to Our National Prosperity

Now is the time to invest in our innovation infrastructure and the new generation of researchers.

FINANCING SCIENCE

Change Young Scientists Can Believe In

Increased federal funding of basic research must be accompanied by thoroughgoing reform of the grant process to create a new generation of American researchers.

Data Bank: NIH Funding By the Numbers

As we wrote last week, the current stimulus legislation moving through the House can help boost the economy by providing funds that support scientific research. In particular, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would allocate $2 billion for biomedical research [...]

FINANCING SCIENCE

Where to Spend Our Research Dollars

Innovation to boost economic prosperity requires new ways to get more funding to our most talented young researchers.

SCIENCE, CULTURED

One Last Whack

Despite the inauguration of a new administration, conservatives have left a damaged scientific system and an archaic way of thinking about science policy. The outgoing policymakers cannot rewrite history for their own purposes.

INNOVATION

Recovering Innovation, Innovating to Recover

The proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act recognizes that science, technology and innovation have long provided the foundation for America’s prosperity, and are crucial to boosting an economy in crisis.