Written by Justo Torres, Director, Contracts and Grants
We all take it for granted that the Federal Government funds research at every major university in the United States. At NC State in FY 2022, nearly 44% of our research expenditures were federally-funded. Why?
Believe it or not, the research partnership between universities and the federal government traces its roots back to World War II. During the war, the United States government partnered with universities to develop munitions and medical technology to help win the war. It worked.
As the war was drawing to an end, President Roosevelt asked his Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, Dr. Vannevar Bush, a simple question: “What can the government do now and in the future to aid research activities by public and private organizations?” In other words, how do we keep the technological boom going in a post-war America?
Dr. Bush’s answer was a paper entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In this paper, Dr. Bush outlines some principles which are in operation to this day:
- The federal government should create an organization, independent of politics, for the fostering of science.
This principle led directly to the creation of the National Science Foundation.
- Basic science should be federally-funded but independently conducted.
- Science should be run by scientists and administered by universities.
- Funding should be secured for projects’ lives of 3-5 years.
- Freedom of inquiry must be preserved.
- Those who served must be included.
This concept was intended to provide veterans with educational opportunities to further science in America. This concept led directly to the creation of the GI Bill.
World War II represents one of the lowest points in human history. Millions of lives were lost. Yet, out of destruction and rubble that remained, a new spark of scientific development and a new partnership to achieve it was born: science, as a tool for peace, rather than war.
Want to learn more?
Check out the National Research Foundation: Science, The Endless Frontier Report.