Science policy is concerned with creating an environment that promotes discovery and innovation to best serve the public interest, requiring value judgments. Federal science funding competes with other priorities like defense, infrastructure, and entitlement programs. In 2004, the US government provided 30% of public and private R&D funds, with energy R&D receiving $2.5 billion. Research can have both commercial and non-commercial aims, following multiple models, with tough choices around balancing basic and applied research investment levels among national laboratories, universities, and industry.

1. An Introduction to Science and Innovation PolicyKathryn Clay, Ph.D.Adjunct ProfessorProgram on Science and the Public InterestGeorgetown University1

2. Science Policy is different than science itself.Science is ideally value free and objective.Science policy is concerned with “the incentives and the environment for discovery and innovation…with the effect of science and technology on society and considers how they can best serve the public.”The purpose of science policy is to advance societal aims – hence there are always value judgments embedded in the discussions.2Source: Griffiths, P., Science in the Public Interest, The Bridge, 1993.

3. Funding Levels for ScienceFederal funding for science competes with all other areas of expenditure – many other public goods, including:National DefenseSocial SecurityEnvironmental clean-up programsInfrastructure –roadways, bridges, portsMany others – examples?3

4. Funding Levels for ScienceThe federal government provided about 30 percent ($93 million in FY2004) of all public and private funds for R&D.In FY2005, R&D expenditures (defense and nondefense combined) represented 5.4 percent of the overall $2.4 trillion federal budgetThis amounts to 16 percent of the amount available for discretionary (not entitlement) spending). In FY2008, energy R&D received about $2.5 billion dollars.4

5. Linear Model of R&D 5

6. Pasteur’s Quadrant6Consideration of Use?YesNoQuest for fundamental understanding?YesNo

7. Dynamic and Parallel model of research and innovation7Source: Beyond Sputnik, Neal, H., et al.

8. Why invest in energy R&D?Public goods of energy security and environmental protection (including climate change mitigation)Creating new “green tech” industries to boost U.S. competitivenessPresident Obama’s commitment to “green jobs,” echoed by the Congress in the Stimulus funding last spring8

9. Tough Choices…where to invest?How do we ensure a balance along the spectrum of research, development, and beyond to commercialization?Who are the most appropriate actors – national laboratories, universities, industry, consortia?Does the urgency of the challenge change the answer?9

10. Questions/Discussion?10