Clemson joins call for Congress to increase support of research

CLEMSON, SC — Clemson University has joined more than 250 universities, business leaders and science organizations in calling for stronger federal policies and greater investment to drive domestic research and development.

“There is a deficit between what America is investing and what it should be investing to remain competitive, not only in research, but in innovation and job creation,” the American Academy of Arts and Sciences said in its 2014 report “Restoring the Foundation: The Vital Role of Research in Preserving the American Dream.”

The American Association for the Advancement of Science stated Tuesday in its “Innovation: An American Imperative” Call to Action to Congress that “competitor nations are challenging our leadership by copying our playbook for success. At the same time our nation’s support for scientific research and innovation is stagnating. If these trends continue, other countries will soon surpass the United States as the global innovation leader. “

“Clemson enthusiastically endorses the Innovation Imperative,” said President James P. Clements. “Federal investment in university research and education helped make America the world leader in innovation and scientific discovery, which has been a key driver of economic growth and improved quality of life for decades.

“But that leadership position is at risk,” he said. “The Innovation Imperative is a broad-based call to action for increased federal support for STEM research and education to ensure that we remain the world leader in innovation.”

The Call to Action, signed by the leaders of companies that include Boeing, Microsoft and Lockheed Martin, says Congress must act to support innovation by taking such actions as:

• renewing the federal commitment to scientific discovery by ending deep cuts to discretionary spending caps and providing steady and sustained real growth in funding of at least 4 percent for basic scientific research at federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, NASA and Department of Energy;
• making permanent a stronger tax credit to encourage private sector investment in research and development;
• increasing support for incentives for teacher recruitment and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and
• streamlining or eliminating costly and inefficient regulations that burden researchers who would be able to focus more time on research and training of the next generation of scientists, engineers, health care professionals and business leaders.

The full Call to Action and list of supporters is posted online at innovationimperative.us.

American Association for the Advancement of Science
The world’s largest general scientific society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of all people.

Clemson University
Ranked No. 20 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success. Clemson is an inclusive, student-centered community characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit and a competitive drive to excel.