“G-Science” Academies Call for Renewed Public Investment in Basic Research

At the invitation of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Study proudly contributed to a global policy statement (PDF) in support of basic research with input from the G7 science academies. The statement, adopted and released by 14 national science academies, strongly endorses curiosity-driven research, and will serve as a key recommendation for world leaders at the 2020 G7 Summit that is expected to take place in the United States later this year.

The central recommendation of the science academies is “to restore and sustain long-term public funding of basic research, pursuing new frontiers of knowledge, providing the basic fuel for successfully meeting current and future challenges.” Additionally, the academies stress the importance of STEM education, global partnerships, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and making research publicly accessible.

The expansion of scientific knowledge empowers humanity to address numerous existential challenges, including those of a non-scientific nature. Whether apparent or not, science informs every aspect of our society: how we work, how we interact, and how we live our lives. The present environmental, social, and public health crises reinforce the need for robust investment in fundamental science to develop a wide variety of tools that can move society forward.

The announcement of basic research as a top global priority this year speaks to both its immediate and timeless relevancy. As an institution dedicated to the pure pursuit of fundamental knowledge across the science and humanities, the IAS continues to play a leading role in shaping the future.

Read more from the National Academy of Sciences.