By Amanda Ashley, Sr Director Communications for Research and Innovation

This month, the National Science Board issued a stark call to action: if the U.S. fails to reinvest boldly in science and technology, it risks falling behind in the race that defines 21st-century power. In a statement marking the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Board members warned that the nation’s scientific leadership—and with it, our security and economic future—is at a turning point. 

Since its founding, NSF has powered American innovation by funding high-risk, high-reward research and growing a diverse STEM workforce. But today, the global landscape has shifted. Other nations are rapidly outpacing the U.S. in doctoral degree production, research output, and patent filings. The Board’s proposed vision—Next Generation NSF—calls for sweeping reforms: less red tape, deeper public-private partnerships, expanded STEM talent pipelines, and closer alignment with national defense priorities. 

“This isn’t just a funding issue—it’s a future-readiness issue,” said Erin Rothwell, Vice President for Research at the University of Utah. “From clean energy to quantum systems, the discoveries we invest in today are the capabilities we count on tomorrow. Utah is proud to stand with the NSF in building a stronger, faster, and more agile research enterprise.” 

The full National Science Board statement, Winning the Race for the Future, is available here.