Experiments in International Benchmarking of US Research Fields (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: Excerpts from National Academies Reports
Appendix B: Excerpts from National Academies Reports
Pages 37-48
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From page 39... ...
Fundamental research on electromagnetism contributed directly to the development of modern communications. Investigations in solidstate physics enabled the invention of the transistor.
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From page 40... ...
In light of the above observations, we believe that the federal government, in partnership with the private sector and with other levels of government, should adopt explicit national goals for science. Our first recommendation is: The United States should be among the world leaders in all major areas of science.
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From page 41... ...
It could not have been the home of the emerging biotechnology industry without having been a world leader in molecular biology. In addition to being among the world leaders in all areas of science the United States will wish to excel in certain areas on a national level.
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From page 42... ...
The selection of those fields in which the United States wishes to maintain clear leadership will be made by government decisionmakers with appropriate advice from various interested groups. These decisions must be fully informed by the comparative assessments of different scientific fields, discussed below, and by the extent to which different fields meet the criteria for clear leadership.
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From page 43... ...
They would assess both the internal performance of the field and its relationship to other fields of science. Finally, the panels could recommend actions for both the performers and the supporters of research (see box)
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From page 44... ...
Educational institutions are essential to this infrastructure; only by providing the finest instruction in mathematics and science can the United States produce world class young scientists and engineers. The committee believes that these goals can be met within the existing overall federal R&D budget.
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From page 45... ...
In the past few years, initial steps in this direction have been taken by the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology under the Office of Science and Technology Policy. If a major field of science were found to be behind world standards, the Executive Branch could boost funding across all the agencies that support research in the field.
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From page 46... ...
The committee believes that it is possible within that budget to reduce some programs, eliminate others, increase support of high-opportunity fields, and restrain federal spending all while maintaining our nation's tradition of excellence in science and technology. To continue as a world leader, the United States should strive for clear leadership in the most promising areas of science and technology and those deemed most important to our national goals.
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From page 47... ...
efforts in each field (see Box 1.4 for a discussion of how international comparisons might work)
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From page 48... ...
relative to national needs and international benchmarks. The committee believes that designing the budget process so as to secure an FS&T budget sufficient to ensure preeminence in select fields and world status in others will allow the United States to maintain continued world leadership.
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