New Task Force Convenes Leaders across Science, Industry, Academia, Philanthropy and the Public Sector to Inform the Vision for US Science & Technology

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2024 -- More than 60 of the nation’s most influential leaders in science, industry, education, philanthropy, and public policy today announced the formation of a new Task Force to produce a Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST).

Michael Moloney , AIP’s CEO, said “I am honored to be a member of the VAST Task Force and to work with this remarkable gathering of cross-sector leaders on delivering a vision for our science and technology sector. I and my colleagues are focused on empowering U.S. decision- and policymakers to ensure that American STEM remains integrated into and at the leading edge of an increasingly competitive global research enterprise, one that is tremendously advancing the state of human knowledge.”

We are in a moment of unprecedented global competitiveness. The U.S. science and technology (S&T) enterprise underpins our ability to lead the world and bolster our national security and economic prosperity. Recognizing we must act now to build the S&T enterprise of the future and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of global innovation, this Task Force is working to identify opportunities and challenges facing the enterprise; assess the steps needed to ensure the enterprise can meet incoming challenges in an increasingly competitive world; and lay out actions that will best position the United States for future prosperity.

The Vision is being informed by critical insights from Task Force members – ranging from university presidents to industry innovators to former federal and state policymakers, and beyond – and with an array of scientific societies, coalitions, and federal agencies. The Task Force is an initiative of the non-partisan Science and Technology Action Committee , a group of non-profit, academic, foundation, and corporate leaders working to dramatically strengthen U.S. science and technology.

“Americans have long benefited from the good jobs, increased well-being, and strong national security a healthy S&T enterprise enables, but those outstanding outcomes are not guaranteed. The United States’ continued leadership is dependent on an American S&T enterprise that has the best prepared people, is well-coordinated across sectors, and is open to the creative spirit essential to discovery. The Task Force will seek insights from the whole of the S&T enterprise, together with working Americans across sectors, to empower policymakers to enable a secure, healthy, and prosperous America,” said Dr. Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Executive Publisher of Science, and Chair of the Task Force on a Vision for American Science & Technology.

“In order to shape the future of U.S. science and technology, we must cultivate public-private sector partnerships. This Task Force will foster collaboration and coordination across disciplines and sectors, spanning philanthropy, universities, federal agencies, and business. A multi-sectoral response is essential to respond to a changed R&D landscape and to position the U.S. to lead the next wave of innovation,” said Dr. Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director, IBM Research and Chair, National Science Board.

“The American science and technology enterprise has helped solve some of mankind’s greatest challenges, but the enterprise’s strength rests on our willingness to act. Our ability to out innovate our competitors is dependent upon a better-coordinated, well-informed, and collaborative research and development environment. Together, this Task Force will identify pathways to establish an adaptive enterprise that will create jobs and opportunities, improve national security, and meet the challenges of tomorrow,” said Dr. Marcia McNutt, President, National Academy of Sciences.

During the upcoming presidential transition period, leaders of the Task Force plan to share a draft of the Vision with the incoming administration and Congress to ensure it is actionable. A final version of the Vision for American Science and Technology will be released in February 2025.

“It is our responsibility as leaders across industries to provide the tools and guidance to allow our science and technology enterprise to reach its fullest potential for the betterment of society. The VAST Task Force will be a critical asset to spearhead collaboration between policymakers and cross-sector partners and yield practicable solutions that will strengthen the economy, promote innovation, and ultimately allow our nation to thrive,” said Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President and Vice Chairman, OKPO Health, and former Director, National Institutes of Health.

“A strong U.S. science and technology enterprise requires investments and input from the organizations that anchor our country’s ability to educate, innovate, and succeed. By

“A strong U.S. science and technology enterprise requires investments and input from the organizations that anchor our country’s ability to educate, innovate, and succeed. By emphasizing trans-sector collaboration, the VAST Task Force is identifying potential avenues for partnerships to facilitate opportunities and collectively promote critical research and development,” said Dr. France Córdova, President, Science Philanthropy Alliance and former Director, National Science Foundation.

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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 in modern history, 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.

About AIP
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. The mission of AIP (American Institute of Physics) is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.

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Maggie Luddy
mluddy@globalstrategygroup.com