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V. Research Priorities
Pages 69-76

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From page 69...
... But the federal research/GDP ratio is already falling and falls further in 2006 down to the historical average of 0.4 percent after briefly increasing during the NIH doubling campaign. Despite an increasingly technology-based economy and a growing recognition among policymakers that federal research investments are the seed corn for future technology-based innovations, the U.S.
From page 70...
... According to AAAS, the federal investment in basic research fell 0.5 percent to $26.7 billion in 2006. Many flagship federal science agencies have had disappointing budgets in 2006: the NIH budget fell for the first time in 36 years; NSF won a small increase, but has less in real terms for its research portfolio than in any of the last three years; the DOE Office of Science budget declined, and despite big increases in development funding, DOD's basic research funding declined.
From page 71...
... Pottie, UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science, commented at the September 2006 regional meeting that he has already witnessed examples of research domains where short-term thinking on security has "directly damaged long-term research of direct benefit to our national security."99 In particular, he cited cybersecurity: As computer systems have grown increasingly intertwined and ever more essential to the commerce and security of the nation, these vulnerabilities are no longer matters of mere inconvenience. Yet DARPA has vastly cut funding for academic research in computer science and other information technology areas, including both internet-related research and topics related to information-centric warfare….electronic security threats by their nature constantly evolve, requiring a long-term commitment of resources.
From page 72...
... In addition, NIH is funding more laboratories that can handle the most dangerous pathogens and eight new regional centers of excellence for biodefense and emerging infectious disease research. As noted during the Georgia Tech regional meeting, some 16,000 researchers have now been approved to work with select agents.102 Together these factors have, arguably, placed less emphasis on basic biological research and a greater emphasis on applied biological research that can have more near-term, tangible benefits.103 While the committee appreciates the need to address some targeted areas, it fundamentally believes, as stated in the 2006 National Academies report Rising Above the Gathering Storm: The Role of Science and Technology in Countering Terrorism that "A balanced research portfolio in all fields of science and engineering is critical to U.S.
From page 73...
... The social sciences have a major role to play in understanding threats, risks, and potential organizational response strategies. Several commentators at the committee's regional meetings highlighted the need for increased focus on the social sciences: There is a glaring gap between the importance of U.S.
From page 74...
... As MIT President Emeritus Charles Vest noted, "The lack of perspective and strategic analysis from the social sciences and so forth were absolutely at the core of some of our worst intelligence failures, especially that in Iraq."108 Methods and strategies for determining security risks and the relative benefits of preventive actions and for establishing appropriate risk/benefit calculations need to be further developed. In addition, mechanisms for accurately and appropriately communicating risks and threats to the scientific community and general public must be improved.
From page 75...
... Summary Congress and the Executive Branch should examine ways to further support and expand research opportunities, ensuring that long-term goals are not being compromised by short-sighted concerns. Additionally, federal research agencies should ensure that their research portfolios contain the critical aspects of the social sciences that are needed to support their research missions and national security efforts.
From page 76...
... SCIENCE AND SECURITY IN A POST 9/11 WORLD all that social science particularly can give in informing our processes and our principles of responding."109 109 Jack Marburger, 2006. Remarks made at the Committee on a New GovernmentUniversity Partnership for Science and Security Meeting, The National Academies.


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