Keeping the Dream Alive: The Power and Promise of Federally Funded Research
Key Insights from Keeping the Dream Alive: The Power and Promise of Federally Funded Research
Technological innovation is not just a byproduct of American ingenuity—it has long been its driving force. Foundational studies have shown that most of the U.S.'s' 20th-century productivity growth stemmed from domestic breakthroughs in science and technology. And as history has shown, this was no accident. After World War II, the U.S. government made a bold strategic choice: to link sustained federal support for research directly to national prosperity. Vannevar Bush's seminal 1945 report, Science—The Endless Frontier, laid the groundwork, arguing that investment in basic research would lead to new industries, new jobs, and lasting well-being for the American people.2 This vision led to the creation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and sustained a postwar boom in federal R&D, spanning defense, health, space, and computing. The payoff was immense.
Executive Impact: At a Glance
Key performance indicators and projected gains based on our analysis.
0%
U.S. Tech Sector GDP Contribution
0
Value Added by U.S. Tech Sector
0
Jobs Created by U.S. Tech Sector
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
Select a topic to dive deeper, then explore the specific findings from the research, rebuilt as interactive, enterprise-focused modules.
Post-War Federal R&D Boom
Immense Payoff Spanning Defense, Health, Space, and ComputingInnovation Cycle Powered by Federal Funding
Federally Funded, Curiosity-Driven Research
→
Sparks Visionary Ideas & World-Class Talent
→
Industry Recruits Talent & Builds Ideas
→
Creates Products, New Markets & Further Inquiry
Digital Innovation Explosion
Federal funding of basic research sparked and sustained the modern technological revolution. In recent decades, digital innovation has exploded: Microelectronics, the Internet, e-commerce, cloud computing, smartphones, and AI have become engines of growth and opportunity. By the late 2010s, the U.S. tech sector contributed nearly 10% of GDP, generated more than $1.8 trillion in value added, and supported the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
| Feature | Past Strategy (Post-WWII) | Current Trend (Reduced Funding) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment in Basic Research |
|
|
| Outcome |
|
|
Federal Research Funding is an Investment
Future Not an Expense, Not OverheadThe Urgency of Support for Computing Research
This special issue of Communications was born out of urgency, highlighting the need to safeguard the research ecosystem. We believe it is our responsibility to help the nation understand what fuels its innovation pipeline, especially after recent layoffs and sweeping cuts at the NSF. This collection of personal narratives—stories of ideas born in academia, nurtured by federal support, and matured into technologies that changed the world—serves as a call to recognize and recommit to the essential role of federally funded computing research.
Calculate Your Potential ROI
Estimate the impact of strategic investment in your organization.
Projected Annual Savings
$0
Productive Hours Reclaimed Annually
0
Implementation Roadmap
A structured approach to integrating these innovations into your enterprise, ensuring a seamless transition and maximum impact.
Phase 1: Awareness & Advocacy
Engage policymakers, leaders across the political spectrum, and the American public to affirm the influence of research and the urgency of sustained funding.
Phase 2: Recommitment to Funding
Advocate for renewed strategic, long-term investment in curiosity-driven academic research, rebuilding federal R&D budgets.
Phase 3: Talent Nurturing & Industry Partnership
Strengthen university-based research to forge the next generation of technical talent and foster collaboration with industry for idea refinement and deployment.
Phase 4: Global Competitiveness Reinforcement
Position the U.S. to maintain its lead in technological innovation against surging global competitors by ensuring a robust research pipeline.
Ready to Transform Your Enterprise?
Schedule a personalized consultation with our AI strategists to discuss how these insights can be tailored to your business objectives.
Ready to Get Started?
Book Your Free Consultation.
Let's Discuss Your AI Strategy!
Lets Discuss Your Needs
Select a Date
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat