White House: Urgent Action Needed on R&D Infrastructure

A new report by the National Science and Technology Council subcommittee on research and development infrastructure identifies limitations in federal research and development infrastructure.

The report, released by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, cites inadequate funding and outdated systems as key factors limiting the capabilities of federal research facilities and hindering agencies’ ability to accomplish their missions, FedScoop reported.

The NSTC urged increased investment to modernize existing facilities and develop new ones. The council also calls for the creation of an interagency working group to facilitate information sharing on capability gaps and collaboration opportunities.

Beyond domestic challenges, the report warns of the potential consequences of inaction, saying the U.S. could become increasingly reliant on foreign research facilities.

Additionally, the report highlights that without a strong U.S. voice in international R&D governance, competitors such as China and Russia could gain greater influence, impacting the development of crucial technologies.