December 16, 1997

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December 16, 1997: Research Investments for America's Future

THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK

Tuesday, December 16, 1997
Research Investments for America's Future

Today we honor 14 remarkable men and women for extraordinary individual accomplishments, from discovering new ways to chart the universe to exploring the internal universe of human nature... By giving these awards we honor the American passion for discovery that has driven our nation forward from field to factory to the far reaches of cyberspace. This spirit of discovery will lead us into a new century and a new millennium.

-- President Clinton Dec. 16, 1997

Today, President Clinton presented awards to the Medals of Science and Technology winners and announced two new research and development partnerships. The new partnerships will leverage about $200 million in government and industry funds. Our investment in scientific research, technological innovation, and a healthy business environment, coupled with a strong commitment to education and human resources development, promotes the beneficial application of science and technology. As the President said, "These investments have surely paid off -- in higher paying jobs, better health care, stronger national security, and improved quality of life for all Americans.... They are critical to America's ability to maintain our leadership in cutting-edge industries that will power the global economy of the new century."

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS

For five years in a row, President Clinton has increased investments in science and technology.

By Civilian Theme:	1993 Actual *	1997 Estimated	1998 Proposed
Basic Research	11,951	13,747	14,112
Applied Research	9,130	10,469	11,125
Development	7,269	7,860	8,117
Equipment	NA	492	506
Facilities	1,979	984	1,128
Subtotal	30,329	33,552	34,988
Percent civilian	42%	45%	46%
R&D support to universities	11,674	12,979	13,268
Merit (peer) reviewed R&D programs	NA	22,220	22,717 Source: OMB

(Budget authority, dollar amounts in millions) *Equipment and Facilities were not collected separately in 1993

$96 MILLION IN NEW RESEARCH AND INVESTMENTS

The Defense Department and the semiconductor industry will invest $14 million to fund long-term R&D at leading universities that will eventually allow U.S. companies to manufacture a "supercomputer on a chip" -- with billions of transistors on a fingernail-sized piece of silicon. Such innovations are a driving force in the economy, notably, the high-tech sector (information, communications, electronics) now employs 4.3 million Americans at wages that are 73 percent above the private sector average.
The Commerce Department's Advanced Technology Program (ATP) will provide $82 million in cost-shared funds for eight new competitions to support R&D with broad benefits to the U.S. economy. These competitions could lead to breakthroughs such as low-cost methods of producing higher-quality life- saving drugs and improved, cost-effective fuel cells that produce energy while reducing greenhouse gases.

December 1997

December 19, 1997

December 16, 1997

T H E W H I T E H O U S E