FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Maggie Luddy
February 25th, 2025 [email protected]
Leaders across Science, Industry, Academia, Philanthropy and Public Sector Release Vision for American Science & Technology
Policy recommendations from the bipartisan, cross-sector group aim to ensure the U.S. remains the world leader in science and technology and secures its national security and economic prosperity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a task force of more than 70 leaders representing science, industry, academia, philanthropy, and the public sector released the Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST). Debuting as the U.S. is in an intense competition with China for global innovation supremacy, VAST presents a set of comprehensive policy recommendations to recalibrate and optimize the U.S. science and technology (S&T) enterprise to enable our long-term economic prosperity, address societal challenges, and maintain global leadership.
The Vision identifies several avenues to address challenges facing the enterprise, informed by expertise from VAST’s Task Force members, including university presidents, industry pioneers, and former federal and state policymakers. Spearheaded by the non-partisan Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC), this initiative lays out a bold, strategic roadmap to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, including avenues to:
- Unleash the full power and potential of America’s science and technology enterprise by reducing inefficiencies and breaking down barriers that hinder progress today.
- Build and empower the strongest and most adaptable workforce in human history to benefit and sustain our leadership as science and technology innovators.
- Drive breakthroughs, advance global competitiveness, address societal challenges, and strengthen our national security with commitments to fundamental discovery research, applied research, and research infrastructure.
Under each avenue, the Vision offers recommendations for philanthropy, education, industry, and local, state, and federal governments.
The VAST Task Force first formed in August 2024 and was formally announced in October 2024. Throughout the presidential transition period, leaders of the Task Force consulted with the incoming Trump Administration and Congress to ensure the policy recommendations laid out in the Vision are practicable, impactful, and strategically crafted for meaningful implementation.
“We stand at a pivotal moment as global competition intensifies at an unprecedented pace. Strategies built for the time when international competition was far behind will not work in this new era. Luckily, our enterprise possesses the talent, resources, and innovative spirit to lead. VAST’s recommendations will allow us to leverage our significant assets to unlock our enterprise’s full potential while disrupting the inefficiencies that are holding us back,” said Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Executive Publisher of Science, and Chair of the VAST Task Force.
“This is a defining moment for the U.S. science and technology enterprise. The choices we make today will shape our national security and economic stability for generations to come. It is vital that we heed VAST’s recommendations to strengthen the workforce and advance fundamental research—both essential to ensuring our long-term economic growth, national security, and scientific discovery. By acting on these recommendations, we can build a more competitive and resilient innovation ecosystem for the future,” said Heather Wilson, President of the University of Texas at El Paso, former Secretary of the Air Force, and former U.S. Representative (R-NM).
“A strong science and technology enterprise is the backbone of innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. VAST lays out a clear strategy to strengthen talent pipelines and foster deeper collaboration between industry, academia, and government. By cultivating talent, building a strong workforce, and expanding public-private partnerships, we can accelerate breakthroughs, drive economic opportunity, and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of technological advancement,” said Samarth Kulkarni, CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics.
“For the United States to maintain and expand its competitive edge in science and technology, we must strengthen the talent pipeline at every level — from skilled technicians to research scientists. By creating agile education and training pathways that are informed by industry, academic and government collaboration, we can ensure that America is in a preeminent position to lead this new era of innovation and economic growth,” said Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community College, and former Lieutenant Governor of Indiana (R).
“America’s leadership in science and technology depends on a strong workforce, fewer bureaucratic roadblocks, and an economy that empowers innovation. This report lays out a pragmatic approach to cutting inefficiencies, expanding skilled job opportunities, and leveraging public-private partnerships to drive growth. By ensuring our policies support innovation, we can secure long-term economic vitality at the local and national levels,” said Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates (R).
“The future of America’s economic strength and global leadership depends on a science and technology enterprise that is as efficient as it is innovative. VAST offers a strategic blueprint for eliminating barriers, empowering a skilled workforce, and expanding economic opportunities in communities nationwide. By forging stronger public-private partnerships and streamlining collaboration, we can unleash the full potential of American ingenuity and drive lasting prosperity – not just nationally, but in a way that bolsters economies and communities across America,” said Andrew Zwicker, New Jersey State Senator (D).
“The nation’s science & technology enterprise must be prepared to address the big challenges of our time, including existential threats to our health, food supply and water security, environmental resilience, energy production and our overall well-being. VAST provides a clear vision forward with a well-informed, thoughtful set of recommendations to unlock the full potential of American science & technology. Nine out of 10 Americans in a recent poll say they want our nation to be a leader in science and technology. VAST will help realize that objective,” said Mary Woolley, President and CEO of Research!America.
To learn more about the VAST Task Force’s Vision and read their full set of policy recommendations, visit VASTfuture.org.
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The Vision for American Science & Technology (VAST) will chart the way for the U.S. science & technology (S&T) enterprise to support America’s global leadership. Drawing from the collective insights and experiences of an unprecedented array of leaders, VAST will empower U.S. decisionmakers with a roadmap to ensure the American S&T enterprise remains the vanguard on an increasingly competitive world stage. VAST’s work is supported by the Simons Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Rita Allen Foundation, and the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, with additional in-kind support provided by Research!America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.