With federal support for on-campus R&D dwindling as a percentage of GDP, keeping basic research afloat is a challenge. Schools and researchers are left to try to fill in the funding gaps.
One thing they seem to agree on: Not prioritizing science in their platforms.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Neither major party has made science and engineering issues a big part of its platform. But research – and its funding – are crucial if the U.S. wants to maintain status as a global leader.
While questions are asked about the value of investment in our Olympic sporting activities, take a look at the achievements of our other medal winners in the science Olympiads.
Is this really how we want to decide where research funding should be allocated?
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New studies on the quality of published research shows we could be wasting billions of dollars a year on bad science, to the neglect of good science projects.
After days of waiting, Malcolm Turnbull will form a government.
AAP/Lukas Coch
How does Australia fare in science and research funding? Where have recent cuts been made? This infographic shows the state of science funding in Australia.
Africa’s future looks bright – if it embraces its many innovators.
Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
There are plenty of innovators, scientists and inventors in Africa doing remarkable work today. So why does the myth of Africa being devoid of scientific innovators persist?
Research expeditions, like this one to Antarctica, don’t have to rely on governments for funding.
A. Turney
In an atmosphere of declining government funding for science, researchers can drum up excitement and funding in other ways, just as they did in Edwardian times.
Investment in science and innovation is needed to help build Africa.
Kate Holt/Africa Practice/Flickr
Successful economies are led by innovation and driven by knowledge. For Africa to advance, it needs to make more substantial investments in its research and development sector.
Alan Alda has a passion for talking about science.
World Science Festival New York
Everyone loves to hear a story, says actor Alan Alda, and that’s what every scientists should learn if they are to better communicate their work to a wider audience.
CSIRO still needs to focus on preventing the impact of climate change, such as drought, in Australia.
CSIRO/Atmospheric Research
Through creating entrepreneurs and boosting global collaboration, science has the potential to drive economic growth and innovation – if only the government would properly fund it.
Science and innovation in the UK may seem out of the woods following the spending review. But the EU referendum and changes to how funding is organised are potential threats.
Will we see a repeat of this 2010 protest against planned cuts to science?
Shane/Flickr
Women are just as successful as men at winning grants, but there are far fewer of them applying. The ARC’s new Gender Equality Action Plan aims to redress that.
Funding panels have to sift through reams of high quality applications, and ultimately reject most.
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