America’s Science Pact Faces an Uncertain Future

The historic alliance between U.S. science and federal funding is unraveling, leaving researchers and institutions in a fragile transition.

For decades, federally funded research has been a cornerstone of American prosperity, technological leadership, and global influence. This system, forged during World War II and sustained through bipartisan support, enabled breakthroughs from atomic energy to the internet. Today, however, the scientific community finds itself in a moment of reckoning, as political support for research funding grows increasingly unstable. The implicit trust between government and science appears to be fading, raising concerns about the future of innovation in the United States.

A Legacy of Federal Stewardship

The roots of federal involvement in science stretch back to the early days of the republic. Thomas Jefferson’s patent law and the Articles of Confederation emphasized the importance of invention and standardization, laying the groundwork for institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In 1807, the Coast and Geodetic Survey became the first federal science agency, supporting trade and sovereignty through safe navigation. Over time, infrastructure projects and technologies such as railroads and telegraphs further bound the nation together, despite resistance from states wary of centralized power.

During the Civil War, President Lincoln established the National Academy of Sciences to advise on military technology. Later, the New Deal expanded federal authority, creating a professional civil service and regulating financial markets. These developments paved the way for sustained investment in science, culminating in the postwar era’s “endless frontier” vision championed by Vannevar Bush. The success of the Manhattan Project demonstrated the transformative potential of organized, government-backed research.

The Frontier of Innovation and Its Political Fragility

Mid-century America saw direct federal investment in transportation and education, alongside indirect support for science through agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. These institutions funded promising ideas based on peer review, reinforcing a merit-based system of advancement. Yet beneath this progress lay a vulnerability: the system’s dependence on political goodwill. In times of crisis, such as financial downturns or public health emergencies, skepticism toward elites and centralized authority resurfaces.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this fragility, as perceived failures by the scientific establishment led to widespread political embarrassment. Legislators, even when personally affected by disease, hesitated to fund research that might restore public trust. Instead, vague promises tied to artificial intelligence offered a convenient distraction, despite the urgency of addressing persistent health threats. This shift reflects a deeper discomfort with the role of science in shaping national policy and priorities.

Rebuilding Trust in a New Scientific Era

American science now stands at a crossroads, caught between a fading legacy and an undefined future. The old model of predictable federal support may not return, and no clear alternative has yet emerged. Researchers and institutions must navigate this uncertain terrain while advocating for renewed public investment. Building a new pact will require not only funding but also a cultural shift in how science is perceived and valued.

(The original article was written by Jonathan D. Moreno «pictured», David and Lyn Silfen Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of “Important: Bioethics and the Rules-Based International Order.”)