The Troubling Truth About US Scientific Progress Emerges, Prompting High-Stakes Effort to Fix It

America’s scientific achievements, from landing on the moon to decoding DNA, have long captured the world’s imagination. Yet, recent data paints a troubling picture: since 1980, scientific papers and patents have lost their disruptive edge, even as research budgets climb. This trend raises a critical question. How can the United States reclaim its place as a global leader in discovery?

Speaking at the National Academy of Sciences, Michael Kratsios, the President’s Science and Technology Advisor, laid out a plan to revitalize the nation’s research enterprise. He focused on sustaining U.S. technological dominance, ensuring innovation benefits everyone, and rebuilding a culture of rigorous, open science. His words signal a broader effort to tackle deep-rooted challenges in how research is funded and conducted.

The United States built its scientific prowess on a foundation laid by Vannevar Bush’s 1945 report, Science, The Endless Frontier. This vision of collaboration among government, industry, and universities sparked innovations like the internet and lifesaving vaccines. However, recent studies reveal a slowdown. Biomedical research funding has surged since the 1990s, yet new drug approvals remain flat, and more scientists are needed for similar results.

Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, addressed this shift in her 2024 State of the Science speech. She noted that industry now spends three times more on research and development than the federal government. This change opens new possibilities but sparks debate over how to prioritize basic research, which drives long-term breakthroughs but often lacks immediate commercial appeal.

Kratsios proposed bold changes to how science is funded. He called for prizes, public-private partnerships, and focused grants to stretch federal dollars further. By cutting administrative tasks, researchers could prioritize lab work over paperwork. These ideas align with efforts to streamline operations at agencies like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.

Yet, proposed budget reductions cast a shadow. Some policymakers push for deep cuts to nondefense research, including climate and applied science, by as much as 40 percent. Eleven House Democrats with science expertise warn that slashing funds for agencies like NOAA and NASA could stall medical progress and weather forecasting. They stress that sustained investment, as outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act, is vital to compete with nations like China.

Public confidence in science has climbed to 76 percent in 2024, but divisions persist, with 88 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Republicans expressing trust. Cases like the 2009 Alzheimer’s study, cited over 800 times before its 2023 retraction due to errors, highlight the need for reproducible research. Kratsios’s 'Gold Standard Science' emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and skepticism to avoid such setbacks.

The COVID-19 pandemic deepened mistrust when school closures ignored evidence of low risk to children. Open-science advocates argue that sharing data and methods can restore faith. Tools like ImageTwin, which spot image manipulation, and platforms flagging fake peer reviews are gaining ground, though human judgment remains critical.

Kratsios warned that initiatives like diversity, equity, and inclusion can sometimes overshadow scientific merit, citing NASA’s former inclusion requirements as a distraction. Supporters counter that these efforts ensure diverse talent strengthens innovation, pointing to bipartisan backing for expanding STEM access.

This debate reflects broader questions about science’s role in policy. Half of Americans prefer scientists stick to facts, not policy debates, but global surveys show strong support for their involvement in decision-making. Balancing diverse viewpoints while grounding research in evidence is essential to maintain credibility.

Reviving U.S. science requires teamwork across government, industry, and academia. In 2021, the private sector’s $693 billion research investment far outpaced federal spending, but basic research still depends on public funds. Programs like the National Quantum Initiative aim to blend public and private efforts to speed up commercialization while supporting foundational science.

Kratsios’s plan, echoed in the National Science Board’s Vision 2030, urges less bureaucracy, stronger STEM education, and broader research access. By embracing transparency and rigor, the United States can rebuild trust and inspire future innovators.

The challenge is clear. A vibrant scientific enterprise could tackle urgent issues, from climate resilience to global health. As the nation balances tight budgets and competing priorities, its ability to nurture curiosity-driven research while delivering real-world benefits will define its global standing.